Le brio

Le Brio is a wonderfully engaging ((essentially) two - hander, directed by Yvan Attal, who is also one of the film's 5 screen writers. Given the depth of the dialogue and the range of philosophical ideas explored in this economically compact 95 minute movie, this is one feature where I'm not surprised in the least that a team of writers was employed. Apparently the script was inspired by the annual debating competitions held in France's most prestigious law schools.

Entering one of these contests for the first time is the feisty and stubborn Neila a first year law student of Arab heritage. She comes from the wrong side of the Parisian socio-economic tracks, but has won selection at the Panthoen-Assas University. On the very first day of lectures, Neila is berated by her professor Pierre Mazard in front of the entire amphitheater, with Mazard dealing out an over the top bullying rant that quickly goes viral. This results in Mazard being reprimanded by his law school Dean and forced to coach Neila for the upcoming competition as a way to demonstrate that he's not a complete bigot and that the university is encouraging diversity amongst its student body. What follows could perhaps be construed as a 21st century Gallic reboot of Educating Rita. But I think that would be doing Le Brio a disservice.

The second act sees a series of tutoring sessions between the seemingly mismatched pair, as Mazard lectures Neila on the art of winning arguments, citing Arthur Schopenhauer's The Art of Being Right, as his text basis. Rather than being conflictingly dry, much entertainment follows, as we see Neila attempting to bring theory into practice in venues such as crowded carriages on the Paris Metro. Also appealing and arguably worthy of more follow-up was the singular peek into Neila's home life, where we meet her supportive single mother and grandmother, in a priceless family dinner setting, which contrasted with Mazard's difficulties in socially engaging in his solitary life outside the law school's doors.

It's in the nature of these "loser comes good" films that the protagonist develops despite the challenges ahead and so it is in Le Brio where for awhile, the spotlight is shone on the running of these staged debating competitions, which I admit, I found fascinating. However in a mild, somewhat contrived third act twist, Neila's summative presentation is delivered in an unexpected forum, to a different audience.

Leads Camelia Jordana and Daniel Auteuil are quite superb in their roles of student and teacher respectively, offering up several juicy verbal bouts alongside a few scenes of genuine emotion. Director Attal succeeds in a producing a discussion involving a host of provocative social issues, such as race, religion and class in the most eloquent and imaginative cinematic way possible. At the same time, in doing so, he reinforces the old truism about best teachers not necessarily making for the best people.

Well, there is nothing new in a script where two people need to cooperate and their relationship makes one to be changed by each other. There is also nothing new in a master-apprentice relationship in cinema where the guru uses unusual methods in order to teach. Anyway, despite all that, the film is cute, charming and does have some fantastic dialogues. Daniel Auteuil is one of the best French actors and Camélia Jordana has a awesome performance too, with both having fantastic chemistry together on screen. The movie deals with a serious social and political problem in a light-hearted but not permissive way. I may say it is much more optimistic than politically counterproductive. Not only people with lower class and peripheral background may succeed, particularly when there are opportunities and solidarity, but also those who behave badly may not always repeat that and can change. The example of the former, Neïla, could witness the example of the latter, Prof. Mazard. The remarkable scene of the first time both characters met, in the classroom, was sharp and very well written, directed and performed.

This was a very enjoyable story, with great acting from Camelia Jordana and Daniel Auteuil.

However, thinking more deeply about the morale of the story, it sounds like the script wants you to think that assimilation is a good thing -which is highly debatable.

Either way, great entertainment.

...but not necessarily to tell the truth! I was pleased to discover director Yvan Attal in such a specific story, Camelia Jordana very comfortable in her role (I think she has special skills to do so) and have the confirmation that Daniel Auteuil has a great talent. A very interesting demonstration of using words, quite a French sort of story.

Good acting by Auteil and Jordana. It does with many contemporary matters! Very good film!