Ulysse et Mona

A methodically paced quiet French drama with some quirky and subtle humor throughout. Eric Cantona stars here as Ulysses, an artist who has stopped painting, left his family, and has chosen to live alone in a large rural manor that is his family's home. Manal Issa co-stars as Mona, a young woman who's an art student and who is so inspired by Ulysses' work she seeks him out in his woodsy hideaway to try and become his assistant.

Ulysses, though, has been diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor and has decided his new mission will be to seek forgiveness from his family before he passes. A bond forms between Ulysses and Mona and she agrees to travel with him as he seeks out his estranged family.

I thought this low-key movie had its moments of poignancy and humor amidst the tragic circumstances, but some parts of the film, in my opinion, don't work and sort of veer off into arthouse pretentiousness. Overall, a mixed bag for me, but for those that like this type of quirky French film there are some rewards here to be found.

This movie is about a young art student Mona (Manal Issa) - who has a boyfriend Camilie (Quentin Dolimaire) - but wants to meet a retired and forgotten - secluded famous art teacher Ulysses (Eric Cantona) who stays in a remote mansion in a deep jungle - living alone, playing tennis with a machine-ball thrower.

Mona goes to meet Ulysses - who immediately rejects her, but Mona persists and they form a unique bond between a mentor Ulusses and a student Mona. Mona looks up to Ulysses and adores him - even gets physically attracted to him. Her LOVE defines Ulysses to reclaim his relationships with his ex-wife and his young son who works as a waiter in a pizza joint.

When Mona is back and reflects on a video of Ulysses - she realizes the journey life takes and she realizes a new maturity within her through a LOVE friendship interactions and knowing Ulysses

The concept of the movie is good - but the execution does not feel complete. Director Sébastien Betbeder who also has screenplayed the movie has tried to present a unique story of pure LOVE relationship but does not succeed fully. Quentin Dolimaire as Ulysses has acted in a limited frame with an equivocal emotional state of cold expression, while Manal Issa fills up freshness and vulnerability in the narrative. But the chemistry between the two leads is not crackling in nature.

There are a few sub-plots - one of Mona's love - her friend and other of Ulysses' neighbor friend, his son , a small boy visiting him occasionally - and an altercation with an unemployed man who comes to rob a department store.

There was potential in the concept of light hearted love story, which was under-exploited. the happenings in the movie - never touches the heart deeply or even brings lasting smiles and endearing emotions.

I would go with 6 out of 10 for this French movie.