Um Mau Filho

Claude Sautet's films are always rich in introspective thought, whether the subject is the fragility of existence (Les choses de la vie), the unconditional love of a man toward a woman that wants out of a relationship (César et Rosalie) or the everyday struggles to make it through ordinary existences (Vincent, François, Paul et les autres). In Un mauvais fils, Patrick Dewaere is paradoxely a good person who has made very bad decisions, but now wants to make amends and get a better life, all the while his father is still grieving the death of his wife.

Remarkably, while being usually casted in loser roles, Dewaere redeems himself from loser status to become a good son, a reliable worker and a strong support of his addicted girlfriend. It's too bad that we lost this prodigious actor too early, struggling himself with addiction and depression.

This is one of the more effective films by Sautet, a director who made commercial pictures with Romy Schneider all through the 70's. While I admired the artistry of Les choses de la vie and Cesar et Rosalie, I was a little put off by the rich decors and bourgeois sentiments. Un mauvais fils is a look at blue collar workers--Rene Calgagni is the foreman on a construction site, his son Bruno works first in trucking, then as a furniture maker, then in a bookstore. Madeleine, Rene's girlfriend runs a dry cleaning shop. Bruno is trying to remake his life after the prison sentence, and the difficulties of re-insertion into society are well-described by Sautet.

Patrick Dewaere gives a restrained performance, lacking most of the extraverted action that made Series noire and La meilleure facon de marcher so memorable. Yves Robert, despite the mustache that reminds us of Stalin, is very affecting as the severe father who doesn't know what to do with his errant son. Jacques Dufilho, playing a gay bookseller with many whimsical moments, earned the Cesar award for best supporting actor. Brigitte Fossey, playing a heroin addict who can't quite stay away from the drug even as she becomes involved with Bruno, has some fine scenes.

It is not a film to be explained, it is a film to be lived! It goes straight to the heart, simply to the essential. Exceptional in truth and authenticity with a great casting of exceptionnal actors. Wonderful!

This film has a beautiful density. Dramatic density, with each of the characters who are human beings, not clichés or stereotypes. Each one of them contributes to this story, simple, but rich, dense, where family, friends, lovers contribute to produce a beautiful drama. Patrick Dewaere returns from prison in the USA; he finds his father, Yves Robert, who could give the title of "a bad father" to the film, even if we understand him. The police help Patrick Dewaere to reintegrate. He then crosses the path of Brigitte Fossey (very good performance), also in rehabilitation following his drug addiction. He also meets Jacques Dufilho, who will help him to reintegrate.

The film could be called a beautiful story, with beautiful characters, poignant at times, but gripping, which accepts that everyone has good sides, or weaknesses, and are able to overcome them, or not. The script also mixes, without condescension or judgment, the universe of the father, a public works worker, and the employer for the reintegration, Jacques Dufilho, who is a bookseller and music lover. These worlds are articulated through the character of Patrick Dewaere.

In its kind, a perfect film, which does not leave indifferent, which knots the stomach of the spectator.

This is one of the most beautiful movies I have seen in a long time. In fact, the credit of finding it goes to late Patrick Dewaere whose film "Going Places" made me such a big fan of his that I set out to watch all his great works. This is among his best. Indeed, French movies carry something that goes straight to the heart transcending all borders and boundaries. This saga of father son relationship is told with such relaxed pace without dramatizing the situations. Both father and the son are humans who love each other and care for each other, yet unable to come to terms with their own demons. It's strange why that great actor like Patrick Dewaere despite living a short life left behind a volume of exemplary performances has not been awarded his due place amongst the greatest stars of the world. I give this film 9 out of 10