Welcome Aboard

In France, the sixty and something years old painter Taillandier (Patrick Chesnais) has lost his creativity for ten years and presently is depressed. Although loving his wife Alice (Miou-Miou) and his family, he buys a rifle and leaves a note to Alice, leaving her and his life behind. His friend, the artist Max (Jacques Weber), calls him and Taillandier tells Max how his crisis is affecting him. He drives without destination and tries to commit suicide with the rifle but gives-up in the last moment. When he reaches a crossroad, a teenager asks for a ride. Soon he learns that she is the rebellious teenager Marylou (Jeanne Lambert) and her mother has just expelled her from home. She tells him that her stepfather is an abusive man that beats her mother and tried to have sex with her. He also told her mother that Marylou hit on him. Taillandier tries to talk to her mother, but her stepfather beat him. Taillandier decides to rent a house nearby the sea to stay there with Marylou, treating her like a daughter. Along the days, he tries to impose some discipline to her while his painting wish returns. Until he reads a tragic news on the newspaper.

"Bienvenue parmi nous", a.k.a. "Welcome Aboard", is a French little gem with a simple and delightful drama. The chemistry between Patrick Chesnais and the gorgeous Jeanne Lambert is amazing and the best point of the plot. The screenplay is well developed and resolved with a happy ending. The improve of Taillandier and Marylou's lives is great to see, giving a hope to mankind. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Sejam Muito Bem-Vindos" ("Be Very Welcomed")

I am not very used to this kind of features, but from time to time I think it's refreshing ; that's the word this movie deserves. After a very depressing beginning, you slowly but surely feel better as the story continues.

This tale of a depressed and nearly suicidal mooded man in his mid sixties, who escapes from his "too much normal life" and then meets a runaway teenage girl is very poignant and also unusual. Although we have already seen that before, but not too often. No one can stay "cold" watching such a so simple and heartbreaking story. Jean Becker gave us some films like this one. I would say it's just his trade mark.

Don't miss it.