Uma Casa à Beira Mar

In a cove not far from Marseille, the actress Angèle joins her two brothers in their birthplace, where following a drama, she has not set foot for 20 years. All three are gathered around their father, diminished by a stroke. An opportunity for them to take stock of their lives, the evolution of society and what remains of their ideals and commitments.

As melancholy and twilight as Chekhov's "The Cherry Orchard", from which the script is very freely adapted, "The Villa" sings the sad lament of lost illusions . « The Villa » is no longer about a cherry orchard but revolves around a quality restaurant at moderate prices nestled in the hollow of a southern cove. Two brothers and their sister (an actress who returns to her childhood home for the first time in twenty years) meet up with their father who has suffered a stroke. It is an opportunity for them to take stock of their lives, of the evolution of the world and what remains of their ideals. The outcome is not a happy one: just like the father's restaurant, still held at arm's length by one of the two sons, is threatened, their constituent values (humanism, solidarity, the fight for justice) are are questioned by a society that is now gangrenous with ultra-liberalism.... Robert Guédiguian's spokespersons are none other than his three fetish actors, Ariane Ascaride (all in thwarted tenderness), Jean-Pierre Darroussin (and his weary irony) and Gérard Meylan (a figure of uncompromising fidelity to his initial ideals), who have evolved alongside him over three decades. A good idea of the director is to include in the 2016 film an excerpt from "Ki lo sa", shot in 1986, featuring our three musketeers still fresh and naïve. It is both touching and striking. In the end, a disenchanted film, but not as radical as Chekhov's play. In this damaged world, there are still a few positive points left, the superb Calanque de Méjean, the gentle smile of Bérangère (radiant Anaïs Demoustier), a fisherman in love with theater, a moving reconciliation and even, in the last part, the revelation of a new battle to be fought. Bitterness certainly, but neither sourness nor boredom

La Villa (The House by the sea) Film 'plug' that looks like the work of a filmmaker who looks at his filmography and takes himself in 'selfie'. In short, a good film. No more. We flatten ourselves in front of the extraordinary talent of the actors ... well, the theme is probably serious and more serious, but I found the acting unconvincing and often forced or nonchalant. A movie that especially bored me because I am not impressed when I see the actors leaning on crutches. They chain smoke cigarettes (obvious plugs), drink their usual boos and eat their baloney to punctuate their deep eternal reflections (always the same for 30 years), with the same actors, on the same issues, on justice, loyalty and the end of the world. By the way, as this film also revolves around the tragedy of 'illness', according to the World Health Organization, alcohol would kill 3 millions people a year, tobacco would kill 8 millions and the junk food up to 20 millions a year ... Yes I know, except for Doctors, it is not an interesting subject of meditation.

Nice, deep, good actors, great story, beautiful paysage

I have a fondness for picturesque and/or very beautiful views. And "The House by the Sea" gave me both. I also liked to follow the main characters Angèle, her brothers Armand and Joseph and Bérangère, Josephs fiancé as they navigated through life.

This movie portrays a couple of different things. For example, the siblings when they try to take care of their elderly and gravely ill father. Because of a trauma in the past this proves to be difficult. I admire them for their strength.

Another theme in this movie is when the main characters help three refugee children. And that isn´t very easy because the adults doesn´t speak the same language as the children.

All in all I must say that I enjoyed this movie. I suggest that you give it a honest chance.

The ability of the director drives the film through a quiet ebb that does not know hampers or falls. A family reunion redimes the past and opens up a future with recovered principles. Splendid in their subdued tones, as always, Guediguian's actors, and delicious the idea of recovering some of an ancient movies with the same but young people in it.