Une belle course

When you've watched as many movies as I have you don't really think anything original can come along. But this was a total, refreshing surprise. Beautifully and perfectly cast and acted, what appeared would be a simple story became a complex but warm, difficult and open hearted encounter of two very different people - one a taxi driver and the other, his elderly, enchanting fare. And from this taxi ride a tale unfolds that is quite unexpected. It's a beautiful movie of encounters that reach deep into those spaces in the hearts and lives of people. This is truly a must watch for anyone wanting a meaningful movie experience.

Greetings again from the darkness. This film surprised me with two clear and valuable reminders. First, with a bit of effort, we can always have a positive impact on others - sometimes to the degree that we change their life. Second, everyone has a life story, and we only learn it if we take the time to ask and listen. Writer-director Christian Carion is known for THE GIRL FROM PARIS (2001) and the superb Oscar nominated JOYEUX NOEL (2005). With co-writer Cyril Gely, Carion delivers a heartfelt story of two people with seemingly nothing in common, crossing paths and making a difference.

Charles (Dany Boon) is a Paris-based taxi driver who feels his life crumbling ever so quickly. His marriage is on the rocks. His financial woes seem insurmountable. He's one more traffic violation from losing his driver's license, which means no driving a taxi, and of course, more money problems. His dispatcher calls and offers him a fare that would take him cross-town. At first Charles balks, but quickly remembers he needs the cash. Extremely annoyed when he arrives, Charles repeatedly honks his horn until an elderly lady assures him that she's ready for the ride. In fact, it's to be Madeleine's (Line Renaud) final ride. A trip to the nursing home to live out her final days.

Appearing years short of her 92-year age, Madeleine requests Charles to drive her through the areas that were key to her life. It's a life that has a shocking past and one that slowly emerges as her charms and warmth thaw Charles' previously irritated demeanor. It's fascinating to watch a bond ... even a friendship ... formed from this unusual day trip around the city. These two should share little common ground, but what we find is that people tend to respond to kindness and listening and sincerity. These two help each other in ways neither could have imagined.

Comparisons to Best Picture Oscar winner DRIVING MISS DAISY (1989) are understandable, yet Madeleine and Charles carve out their own movie niche, and we find ourselves liking each of them. Dany Boone starred in director Carion's history-based JOYEUX NOEL (2005), and although he is best known for his comedic work, that film and this one proves his dramatic chops. Line Renaud began performing in the 1940's and is a well-known singer in France. As a 'sometime' actress, she lights up the screen here as our beloved and spirited Madeleine. The ending may be a bit of a stretch (even though we see it coming), but the real joy here is watching these two connect as flawed human beings.

Progressive theatrical openings on January 12, 19, 26, February 2, 2024.

Thank you Barbra Streisand for mentioning this beautiful French 🇫🇷 movie Driving Madeleine (French: Une belle course) as you accepted your well deserved SAG Lifetime Achievement Award today.

My Review- Driving Madeleine My Rating 9/10 Streaming on SBS on Demand

This is a 2022 French-Belgian drama film directed by Christian Carion.

It stars Line Renaud who was born on the 2nd of July 1928 now 95 years old she is a French singer, actress and AIDS activist.

Her heartwarming portrayal of a 92 year old woman about to enter a care home and calls a cab to take her there in a very roundabout way is sublime.

Her early reminiscing is played in flashback and beautifully cast with Alice Isaaz .

Dany Boon is perfect as the stressed taxi driver Charles who drives Madeline around Paris as they both relate their life stories .

It's a wonderful movie and well worth the taxi fare as well as being a touching story as Madeleine tells Charles about her long life and Charles gradually lets Madeleine draw him out to relate his life to her we get a free trip through beautiful Paris streets and suburbs as this delightful couple relate to each other.

It's free to watch on SBS on Demand

Highly recommended by Barbra and me .

You'll need a tissue at the conclusion.

It's not the destination, it's the journey" Ralph Waldo Emerson. Philosopher.

Review Xanthe OConnor

With a opening mise en scene, that establishes the psychology turmoil of Taxi driver Charles, in true French style, because all he needs now is to drive across to the other side of Paris to pick up a fare, on arrival his passenger is no where to be seen, suddenly his dark mood is broken by the cutting feisty tones of the elderly (92 yrs old) Magdalene, who is moving into a retirement home.

Not a great start for both, as Charles dreads the return journey back across Paris. And Magdalene tries to postpone her move to the nursing home. However, this is the beginning of a beautiful bitter sweet journey. Which draws out a bonding respect and mutual compassion for both During the journey Magdalene prises open the all too closed grumpy Charles, by her candour and strength, as she unveils the incredible under current of her own life story. This last taxi ride for her, is a last grasp to resolve moments in her past Its the juxtaposition of the shared stories which bridge ages of the two, giving each other the insight and understanding to bring a shared tenderness and compassion.

Throughout the journey we visit flash backs of situations and the places of Magdalene past, which is elevated by the enticing glimpses of Paris. From the taxi window. Charles once blinded to it's beauty, begins to open his eyes as re evaluates the preciousness of his family and in life.

The cinematography and editing is seamless, music creates a flowing ambience and direction holds a tender nugget of emotion.

92 year-old Madeleine is leaving her suburban home to enter an aged-care facility on the other side of Paris. Charles, a taxi driver, knows it will be a good fare and comes to pick her up. She is in no hurry to reach her new home and asks him to go via various places which have been significant in her life. As the journey goes on, she shares some of the events of her incredible life with him, as well as wisdom that is useful for his rather jaded existence. There are some flashbacks which show the changing times, including some interesting courtroom scenes. Charles, the cabdriver, in turn becomes increasingly interested, kind and generous.

On this, Madeleine's last lap of Paris, naturally the city stars with its landmarks, restaurants and general life, including separated bikelanes... if they can do it there... And all of this is set to some great songs of the 1940s.

The famous actors are superb, of course, as Madeleine, Liné Renaud (who is 94 and whose film credits go back to the 1940s) and as the cabbie, French star, Dany Boon. The story is well-paced, nicely filmed and quite a touching little gem, somewhat reminiscent of the fine Australian taxi-ride drama, 'Damage' (2022).