Está Tudo Bem

The whole debate regarding assisted dying is contemporary and topical; cinema and TV are reflecting this with a number of productions, none finer than this 2021 French movie which avoids the obvious pitfalls of over-sentimentality, over the top ethical pronouncements and poor storytelling. Here we have a stellar cast (Marceau, Dussollier, Pailhais, Rampling and Schygulla) that adds international gravity to this sensitive subject material.

Andre (Andre Dussollier) is an 85 year old man who suffers a stroke that leaves him with life changing health issues. He makes the decision that he wants to end his life and asks his two daughters Emanuele and Pascale (Sophie Marceau, Geraldine Pailhais) to help him. We observe a family torn, twisted and uncertain about his request, yet Emanuele makes the decision to support her father in his 'project.' Assisted suicide is strictly illegal in France so they decide to take the only option open to them - get him over the border into Switzerland, where it's legal.

Despite a life-long love-hate relationship between them, there develops a latent bond between father and daughter amply realised by superb performances from Andre Dussollier and Sophie Marceau. Marceau has finally shed her Gallic pin-up girl image and developed into a fine actress, picking up serious parts that suit her in middle age.

Aspects of Andre's life and his relationship with family members come to the fore in the period before the date set to go to Switzerland, especially one particularly difficult one that had previously ripped the family apart. There is something forlornly upbeat about this film: a sense of Parisian sarcastic humour prevails when things look particularly bad and when Andre is at his most acerbic and bitter. The family put down their differences and pull together, even if they don't always agree with the 'project.'

A timely and significant film that manages to keep upbeat and realistic as it deals with a major issue of our time.

Not many movies have the courage to ask the hard questions, such as this one. The cast is excellent, both Dussolier and Marceau do a splendid job. There are enough complications to keep things interesting, the story carries you along. It's a really good movie.

If I have any criticism, it's that it takes place in an upper-class family, for which money is not an problem (that issue is briefly mentioned in the movie). This is therefore not at all representative of the average person, and it would be interesting to see this happen in a less privileged environment.

Despite this, it's well worth watching.

Based on the late Emmanuèle Bernheim's novel Everything Went Fine, French filmmaker François Ozon's light-hearted drama/comedy Tout s'est bien passé is filled with heart and humanity. Starring Sophie Marceau, Charlotte Rampling, André Dussollier, Géraldine Pailhas and Hanna Schygulla, the film beautifully encapsulates the human condition. Fantastic performances with a heartbreaking story. A portrait of what it is to be ill and ageing.

This is a film that touches on something deeper.

This movie is well worth the running time, not far short of 2 hours. The actors portray their handling of a family tragedy involving an elderly parent with great panache and sensitivity, without degrading to the maudlin. There are more lighthearted moments - a natural reaction, perhaps, to coping - and the direction allows the unfolding story to be entirely true to life and quite believable. There are a few twists along the way, which add to the interest, and the screenplay never falters.

It might have been nice to see a little more of Charlotte Rampling as the estranged wife - but her character has its own problems, and the direction makes this clear. The interplay between the medical authorities, the daughters and the assisted suicide service is very ably handled, too. Great work, need more of it.

François Ozon's "Tout s'est bien passé" ("Everything Went Fine" in English) looks a topic that gets little focus in cinema: a patient's choice whether or not to commit suicide. This issue came to prominence when the US state of Oregon passed an ordinance allowing physician-assisted suicide in 1994. In 2001, the Netherlands became the first country to allow it.

This is one of those movies that requires you to pay attention the whole time: no explosions, high-speed car chases or corny one-liners. This is serious stuff. I wouldn't call it a great movie, but it takes a respectable approach to this controversial topic, showing all sides, as well as the difficulty of this in France (which for the record is ranked as having the best healthcare system in the world; in "Sicko", Michael Moore even showed France's robust welfare state).

Worth seeing if you get a chance. I also recommend reading about Oregon's Death with Dignity Act.