En solitaire

I probably should not have reviewed this title: I enjoyed it but I am a sailor and it's easy to understand that I am not objective: many things that mean so much to me (Cape Horn, the Roaring Forties, Icebergs in Southern Atlantic or just Sailing itself) could be completely meaningless to people who do not sail.

There are two reasons why I'm writing this note: first at present (surprisingly enough) there are no other reviews for this movie; second, its success in France has been so great that I can't believe it could have been due only to hordes of sailors filling the theaters.

It's a beautiful sea movie with a very simple plot, don't expect anything astounding or particularly original: it just shows the feelings that any of you, alone at sea, would have for your fellow men. The film has been made by people who clearly know very well the world of yacht racing and offers you the chance to get a glimpse of what it means today to sail around the world: did you know how fast modern sailboats could run? Enjoy.

Francois Cluzet stars as Yann Kermadec who is taking part in a solo round the World yacht race. He got the opportunity after his boss had an accident, leaving the way open for him to realise his dream of winning the Vendée Globe race. Then after a few days out he sustains damage to his boat and has to lay up for repairs off the coast of the Canary Islands.

Though he has lost two days he soon makes up for lost time - then he discovers something that will not only upset his chances of winning but also has the potential to ruin everything. To say any more could be a plot spoiler.

This is a really well made film and would almost make you want to go yachting as it makes it look so much fun - albeit dangerous. Cluzet is his sparkling self and brings a real sense of immediacy to the role. He has to battle the elements and keep in contact with the other competitors as well as his home team; all the time trying to make up for the time he has lost.

If you like boating, or just enjoy a really good human story with some fine acting then this will be one you will want to see.

I really liked it to be fair. The acting was good and the scenes were gorgeous because it was filmed on water and all. It really gives you a close up to what navigation is, it's ups and downs and the challenges to face. I can't make a very big review because it was a quite simple plot: A middle aged man leaves his girlfriend with his young daughter at home as he needs to replace his brother in law in the Vendée Globe (a round-the-world non-stop single-handed yacht race). Then something happens and it complicates the entire thing. What really touched me was the ending. How everyone gathered around the winner as the person approached the finish line. Shows how much victory can be worth the journey.

One could argue there are better high seas movies around - the recent "All is lost" with Robert Redford comes to mind, Ridley Scott's "White squall" is another and even the grand "Master and commander" with Russel Crowe gets the nod. But in terms of cinematography, this one is a stunner. You could almost place this flick in the documentary category, considering the realism of the camera angles, the glimpse at the high-flying technology but also the nonchalant way the plot unfolds (or flattens out like a pancake). But in the end, no one gets hurt and noble values prevail for good family entertainment. For real drama at sea, try to get a hold of the 2008 "Solo-Lost at sea" doc. This one you won't want to watch with the kids...

Caught by surprise is an appropriate heading for this review, as this movie certainly achieved that for me...

Found this movie difficult to walk away from, themes simple and common, yet the challenge so many of us face kept my attention from start to finish.

François Cluzet's portrayal of Yann Kermadec certainly rang true for myself.

Such frustration certainly many have felt at other times, yet here the message clearer, that first we need avoid knee-jerk, so allow time so for us to consider our position, how we should wish to be treated, then work through it...

Samy Seghir as Mano Ixa certainly my sympathy was for, reminder of why refugees need both be fully and properly considered for their reasons resulting in their actions. (Such positions governments often to timid to actually take considering basic human rights.)

Certainly worth viewing and considering for others who may experience so need understand the dillemma's faced by so many as events unfold..