TheLostBaggage

For most Americans, the idea of going to Europe has always been fascinating, and for many of them, Europe means first Britain, then Paris. Some American intellectuals, when they choose to live in Europe, also aspire to "become European" in a sense. These are all well-intentioned thoughts. But, as in Cavafy's poem The City, Americans take their Americanness with them wherever they go. Very few manage true cross-cultural adaptation. They arrive in Paris and look for McDonald's; they go to Madrid and ask, "Where's Starbucks?" No matter which country they visit, they cannot stop being American. As Iván says in Almodóvar's Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown: "Some things are unavoidably American."

This film starts with the very same cliché. It opens with the prototype of the American girl who, as if she had never known the grim apartments of New York, is astonished by the stairs of Oxford buildings without elevators. Almost every scene feels like an American independence war being fought by this exchange student in Oxford - a kind of Boston Tea Party playing out before our eyes. In American films, the British are also often trapped in the same cliché: intellectual, witty, spoiled, and selfish. That stereotype is repeated here as well.

The film is pure soap bubble - light, bland, and fleeting. To even call it a romance set in Oxford feels like a stretch. It's impossible to figure out what our young female lead is meant to be: sophisticated, sexy, intelligent? She's a muddled mishmash of traits. As for the feather-light dialogue, best not to even go there. If you're bored and have nothing else to do, you might watch it. Just don't forget to bring biscuits - enduring this film without them won't be easy.

Footnote: Oxford hasn't been the subject of such an ignorant story in all its history.

I wasn't sure whether to watch this movie at first. I had read the synopsis, which simply said it was about a nurse's night shift. As someone who has spent many hours in hospitals due to the illnesses of my family members, I've grown more emotionally fragile when it comes to hospital-related topics. Still, I decided to watch it-and I'm glad I did. Before the movie, I felt tense; afterwards, I felt more thankful.

I once had a high school teacher who said, "If people visited hospitals when they were upset, they would overcome their unhappiness more easily." I believe she was right.

As for the movie-it definitely deserves all the praise. Even a 10/10 rating on IMDb might not be enough. The performance of Leonie Benesch (Floria) is extraordinary. Most of the scenes focus on her, meaning she carries much of the film's emotional and narrative weight. To hold the audience's attention for 91 minutes almost single-handedly is incredibly difficult-and she succeeds with grace and intensity. Credit is also due to Petra Volpe for both her direction and screenplay.

After watching this film, I found myself feeling even more empathy toward nurses and medical staff. Yes, patients may have valid complaints at times, but caring for someone's health is not a standard job-it demands immense dedication and emotional sacrifice.

As I watched, I also thought about the COVID-19 pandemic. Medical workers were under tremendous pressure, often risking their own lives. Some gave everything-and lost their lives in the fight. While many people appreciated their efforts, sadly, some others-like fearful neighbors-rejected them out of ignorance and fear of infection. This film gently reminds us that patients can sometimes be overly judgmental, unfair, or harsh toward healthcare workers who are doing their best under pressure.

If I were Minister of Education, I would include this film in the school curriculum for students aged 13 and older. It teaches valuable lessons about the realities of hospital life-the stress, the responsibilities, the human side of healthcare-and why we should be more tolerant, patient, and understanding when we are in medical settings.

I watched the movie without blinking, fully engaged from start to finish. I absolutely recommend it.

After the wonderful taste left in our minds by Call My Agent, Family Business turned out to be another delightful gift from the French film industry. I enjoyed every second of it - beaucoup! 😊

Let me start with the cast:

Seeing Enrico Macias was a big surprise. He is very famous in my home country, Turkey. During my childhood, we used to listen to his songs with great pleasure. His role in the series is fantastic and adds a lovely touch.

I've been a big fan of Julia Piaton and Liliane Rovère since Call My Agent, and once again, they deliver outstanding performances.

Jonathan Cohen, Gérard Darmon, Ali Marhyar, Lina El Arabi, Oussama Kheddam, and Alexandre Vandernoot were all new faces to me - but I truly enjoyed their performances as well. However, I must confess: Louise Coldefy has been a great discovery. What a brilliant artist! She made me laugh countless times.

Special thanks to Igor Gotesman for the story. The soundtrack choices fit each episode perfectly. Les Films du Kiosque did a great job overall.

Once you start watching, you simply can't take your eyes off the screen!