Après

Watching French or French Canadian movies or TV series can be a hit or miss experience . Its best to follow an actor you've had previous experience with before tuning in. I have followed Karinne Vaness for many years. She's just so believable in the roles she takes on. Apres' represents her at her finest. The entourage of hound and old, stodgy and beautiful a they all come through with glowing performances. The story, though a bit drug out, is rivetting. You get to know each of the characters well so you can truly relate to their personal feelings during and after the tragic events, which are many. The story is so well written it gives the actors plenty of opportunity to showcase their range and they come through. You will smile and cry many times over. This was truly a gem for all.

How does a small town deal with a tragedy such as a mass shooting? This is a tiny town, where everyone knows everyone else. The shooter did not come from the outside, but was one of them. Where do you put the grief, rage, anxiety, guilt? These are people you knew. She sat next to you at church. She shopped in your store. Her kids know your kids. What do you do about the resulting suicides from the loss? How do you address the fact that you have lost a major employer and the soul source for groceries and other items in a small town? How does this town unite and get beyond? The series addresses all of these show well. I can't recommend it enough.

It's unfortunate that this isn't more discussed, by Canadian, especially French television, is often so siloed that gems go unnoticed. This is one such series. Tightly constructed and visceral in its portrayal of an active shooter situation in a town grocery store, the series follows the characters during and after, as they deal with the fallout, and the investigation and healing-as well as trauma-begin to manifest.

Obviously, if you think you might not be able to handle watching something like this, you shouldn't try. More so than other series I've watched, Après is unequivocally hard-hitting and emotional. It is not gratuitous at all as the situation unfolds though. It's not graphic. But the acting and script is just so earnest that it becomes a challenging watch. It's heartfelt and does not pomp up the circumstances with emotional manipulation like music, and that, somehow, makes it more keen.

All of the acting is top notch, the unfolding challenges for each character, including the Why of the thing, what may or may not be known, all of it just feels and looks well researched and empathetically rendered. Everything about it is top notch. I wouldn't be surprised if it was based on an actual event.

I watched this on the app Topic, which has a lot of hidden gems like this, and it's quite cheap. If there's a trial you could watch this quite quickly. I hope more people check it out, it is affecting, respectful, and a challenging story excellently rendered.

I agree with the other reviewer. This is a hidden gem. The acting is superb, the writing is intelligent and often profound. The characters are well developed. They even backed away from ending it with a girl gets guy scene.

The leading actress is superb, and I love her in Cardinal, where she's more restrained, but here is allowed to show us all her delightful talents as a woman whose character is strong, magnetic and beautiful. She is surrounded by equally talented performances by an incredible ensemble.

Why has this been so ignored by the critics? Covidnesia?

And I would like to know the writer's name. This is as deep a script as I've seen in quite a while.

I agree with the others as well, a rare gem,.

There is the right psychological introspection of the characters, without any cliches.

It deserves wider recognition and I'd really love to see a sequel, even though the story is fine as it is.

Special mention to the wonderful Karine Vanasse, previously seen in Cardinal, but here at her best.

I find that I've said the essential, IMBD requires more words for the publication, but all the best has been already said from the others reviews, I can only add thanks for such a good work, I'd really love to see a sequel, even though the story is fine as it is.