Contra a Maré

I really liked it to be fair. The acting was good and the scenes were gorgeous because it was filmed on water and all. It really gives you a close up to what navigation is, it's ups and downs and the challenges to face. I can't make a very big review because it was a quite simple plot: A middle aged man leaves his girlfriend with his young daughter at home as he needs to replace his brother in law in the Vendée Globe (a round-the-world non-stop single-handed yacht race). Then something happens and it complicates the entire thing. What really touched me was the ending. How everyone gathered around the winner as the person approached the finish line. Shows how much victory can be worth the journey.

Caught by surprise is an appropriate heading for this review, as this movie certainly achieved that for me...

Found this movie difficult to walk away from, themes simple and common, yet the challenge so many of us face kept my attention from start to finish.

François Cluzet's portrayal of Yann Kermadec certainly rang true for myself.

Such frustration certainly many have felt at other times, yet here the message clearer, that first we need avoid knee-jerk, so allow time so for us to consider our position, how we should wish to be treated, then work through it...

Samy Seghir as Mano Ixa certainly my sympathy was for, reminder of why refugees need both be fully and properly considered for their reasons resulting in their actions. (Such positions governments often to timid to actually take considering basic human rights.)

Certainly worth viewing and considering for others who may experience so need understand the dillemma's faced by so many as events unfold..

Excellent cinematography, nice playing by the actors! You almost think this is a real documentary.

I believe it is a thrilling movie for sailers but also interesting for all viewers.

Much better than "All is lost"!!

Francois Cluzet stars as Yann Kermadec who is taking part in a solo round the World yacht race. He got the opportunity after his boss had an accident, leaving the way open for him to realise his dream of winning the Vendée Globe race. Then after a few days out he sustains damage to his boat and has to lay up for repairs off the coast of the Canary Islands.

Though he has lost two days he soon makes up for lost time - then he discovers something that will not only upset his chances of winning but also has the potential to ruin everything. To say any more could be a plot spoiler.

This is a really well made film and would almost make you want to go yachting as it makes it look so much fun - albeit dangerous. Cluzet is his sparkling self and brings a real sense of immediacy to the role. He has to battle the elements and keep in contact with the other competitors as well as his home team; all the time trying to make up for the time he has lost.

If you like boating, or just enjoy a really good human story with some fine acting then this will be one you will want to see.

If you have seen the Robert Redford movie with him sailing completely along, do not expect this to be similar. Only thing that is similar is the main actor is as exceptional. But he does use modern technology to stay in contact with the "outer" world (the "real" world, his family and friends or colleagues), which didn't really happen in "All is lost" with Redford.

This is also a competition movie, where our main character is trying to be first in something. But it seems that not his competitors will be his worst adversary, but someone completely different. If you haven't read the summary, I won't reveal to you, of whom I'm talking about. Be surprised, not only by the plethora of dialog, but how the movie develops. It's tension filled from beginning to end and will be fun to watch even for those not in the know about sailing!