O Mistério de Henri Pick

I absolutely loved this movie, from the beginning till the end. It's about a book written by Mr. Pick. A tv critic doubts the authenticity of this book, so he will investigate everything about Mr. Pick's life.

France is one of the best filmmaking countries, and without a doubt a very good representation of European films.

This one fits the bill perfectly. The acting is phenomenal and so is the writing, a bit of humour is added to the mix as per usual, yet the brilliant director utilizes a sense of mystery and humanity that blenda it all very well.

It is a very well cinematographied and edited film, and the cutting is excellent. It is truly a great and suspenseful film that should definitely be experienced by any lover of film and french cinema. Definitely recommended, and the director is very promising.

The storyline idea is original but the film rambles on too long to keep the attention of the viewer.

Certain outcomes are obvious but the ending is unexpected albeit a bit long winded.

Agatha Christie need not worry.

The film is an essay into existentialism on people deciding what reality is. The eponymous character is someone who simply lived life. Fabrice Lucchini is brilliant as the thorny antagonist who cannot believe what other people want to believe. In the quest to speak the truth the edifice of his life crumbles away and he apparently wants to do the same with others. This surface of the film works hand in glove with the nature of mysteries. Why can some people see a mystery and others cannot? Why do other people give a blank no or just not care? The solution of the mystery can be anti-climactic due to the what now factor. The film's gentle nudge at the end that existence goes on reflects upon us all as Henri Pick.

I loved this improbable encounter between: 1) Fabrice Luchini as a literary critic at first pedantic and unpleasant, then sensitive, facetious and pertinent after receiving 2 strong slaps (figuratively but legitimately and almost concomitantly), 2) Marie-Christine Orry as a librarian deep in Brittany, with her unforgettable voice, 3) Bastien Bouillon as a young writer lacking in gratitude and then self-confidence, 4) Camille Cottin as a spontaneous but moderately cheerful Breton woman, 5) ... (not-exhaustive list).

What an intelligent entertainment, without forgetting of course the sumptuous landscapes of Brittany!