La Vérité - Leben und lügen lassen

The Japanese filmmaker Hirokazu Koreeda is famous for focusing on some of the darker aspects of what it is to be Japanese. Some folks in his homeland (including some politicians) have criticized his films for exposing these problem....though many film buffs have loved these same films. It's surprising, then, when you watch "The Truth"....not just because it has an all French and American cast but because unlike his films such as "Like Father, Like Son" and "Shoplifters", he DOES pull his punches and more often than not avoids pushing boundaries! As a result, my daughter and I enjoyed the film but were also very disappointed.

The film stars Catherine Deneuve and Juliet Binoche as a self-absorbed mother and her frustrated daughter during a visit. And, amazingly, by the end of the story, nothing much happens....few sparks and the big confrontation scene you expect (because the daughter deservedly resents her mother) never really materialize and the mother somehow receives absolution though she did little to merit it....again, NOT like what you'd expect in a Hirokazu Koreeda movie.

Overall, the acting was good but the story itself a bit flat.

Catherine Deneuve without stretching plays a French cinema goddess, Fabienne, a diva who is the unremitting self-center of a family. All that and she underplays her to great effect that endears us to her as to her fans.

Although it's possible this comedy is a take on Deneuve's life, such an inference is unnecessary given Japanese director Hirokazu Koreeda's (Shoplifters) universal vision. Not only is Fabienne the essence of the superstar, she also represents the matriarch we all think of when we envision transcendent mom power.

Daughter Lumir (Juliette Binoche) and family visit mom in Paris to celebrate Fabienne's autobiography and role in a sci-fi where mother never grows old-now how fitting is that background? Given the scenery Deneuve could chew up, she has none of it. She softly throws in bits of sarcasm and bitchiness yet generally with an even temper, almost self-effacing, except she makes sure everything goes her way.

For cinematic reference points, strong mothers are countless; two come especially to mind: echoes of the mother's visit in Bergman's Autumn Sonata and an actress's moving in with mom in Postcards from the Edge. Koreeda's difference is the almost peaceful turns that could have been harrowing but end up being the natural flow of any family, not even an artistic one for that matter. You just need a strong mom.

Fabienne can't stop the aging process, which shows especially in her diffidence about her acting. However, none of this concern about aging detracts from her charm. To see the embodiment of an ageless French film icon and enjoy the central role a mother plays in all our lives, The Truth is, it's all true here with the work of a gifted Japanese director and a true film goddess.

A lackluster screenplay from an otherwise a very talented director gives way to this underwhelming drama with actors of star levels on their own. The film is structured mostly as a drama but the comedic undertones point at such a wonderful potential for a straight out clever comedy, it's frustrating to see the film never goes there. With a few tweaks on the screenplay, adding a few smart jokes to the dialogues this film could have been a great heart warming comedy with deep dramatic undertones. 6/10

Whilst the cast was good I was not impressed as the movie was a bit "blah" no highlights really and all in all a bit monotonous. Maybe harsh but that is my view.

The most interesting element to come out of this film is a Japanese director taking on a French speaking film. Certainly an unexpected turn for Hirokazu Koreeda, director of the highly regarded Shoplifters, but there's nothing especially stimulating about the Truth. It has good performances, it's shot nicely and yes, it has things to say about stardom and it's impact on family, but not much else to elevate it from just being ok.

The only strong reaction I had for this film would be my complete destestment of the main character Fabienne played by Catherine Deneuve. She is an absolutely repulsive person who cares purely about her glory and her disappearing stardom. You see, Fabienne was a huge French star who has gone the way of the dinosaur and feels lost in a world that seems to be moving on from her. While a lot of material to work with here, Fabienne does not make it easy to like or even relate to her. Which is a problem when you can't quite convince yourself why her poor daughter played by Juliette Binoche is at her side for the runtime. She is a horrible person to be with and it doesn't quite make for an enjoyable experience when you detest her the entire film.

There are some generally nice moments sprinkled in the film especially the ones involving Fabienne's grand daughter who shines a light in all the falsity and horribleness of the actor world. Ethan Hawke is also a very charming presence in the film playing the wannabe actor/husband of Fabienne's daughter.

The film making scenes where it revolves around Fabienne starring in a science fiction film about an immortal young mother (Which has some thematic resemblance to Fabienne's real mother) are also well choreographed and generally interesting. The rest however sort of meanders on, not really finding any strong footing to land on. It purely floats around a character who isn't particularly likeable, sympathetic or for that matter, interesting.

I can't say it's bad. If you are looking for a sort of reflective and quiet look at a celebrity struggling to be still relevant and the dramas she puts her family in as a result, then sure it will pass the time well. I can't say it's going to be remembered long after though. More likely you'll remember how much you wanted Fabienne to receive punishment for being such a horrible person.