Direction: François Ozon
Country: France
With this adaptation of Emmanuèle Bernheim’s deeply intimate novel, the adroit filmmaker François Ozon (Under the Sand, 2000; Frantz, 2016) mounts a valid and courageous reflection on assisted suicide, making it unclouded by distilling a few hints of humor. Effectively blending heavy drama and dark comedic tones, the film succeeds on the strength of its acting, with Sophie Marceau bringing a kind of attentive concern to her character, and André Dussolier - who worked with everyone from Alain Resnais to Eric Rohmer - appearing at his most disconcerting.
Emmanuèle (Marceau) is a Parisian writer who had a difficult childhood because of her depressed and unsupportive father, Andre (Dussolier). Now, at 85, the latter is recovering from a severe stroke at a hospital. Despite daily health improvements, there’s this irreconcilable pain associated with the fact that he became semi-paralyzed and will need external help in the future - “surviving is not living”, he claims. This permanent anguish leads him to ask his daughter to help him end it all. Dealing responsibly and bravely with the idea, she arranges the trip to Switzerland, where the practice is legal. But not without some bumps along the way.
This bittersweet snapshot of an aging man and his last will is more functional than great. Although catapulted by Emmanuèle’s fortitude, the film is occasionally coated in dramatic toppings, especially when Andre’s former lover, Gerard (Grégory Gadebois), is around. It’s a minor Ozon but still successful; surprisingly funnier than one should expect given the controversial topic.
