FAMILIES 'BELLES FAMILLES'

by Paula Smith

SHOWN THE 25^TH OF JUNE AT CINEWORLD, EDINBURGH

This French drama stars Mathieu Amalric and Marine Vacth amongst other well-known French actors such as Karin Viard. It is directed by Jean-Paul Rappeneau. The family country house in Ambray is at the heart of a family dispute when Jerome arrives home in Paris for a few days. Jerome takes it upon himself to investigate what exactly is happening and this leads to all kinds of events occurring.

Jerome Varenne, a French business man who resides in Shanghai, arrives in Paris for a stop-over while on route to London to attend an important business meeting with his Chinese fiancé accompanying him. His family in Paris cannot hide their surprise when he arrives and little into the first family meal in several years a family disagreement ensues. Jerome is horrified to learn that the family country house is in the middle of a legal battle involving a friend, the town hall and a corrupt solicitor.

Varenne has every intention of showing face at the London meeting with his fiancé, however, after setting off to Ambray to gain some insight into the family dispute, he meets Louise who shows an instant dislike towards him. They meet again as he discovers his friend is in a relationship with her and becomes intrigued by her. Meanwhile he discovers that Louise’s family also resided in the country home and became evicted claiming pleas for help were ignored by Jerome’s family.

While Jerome tries to understand the legal situation of the house his relationship with Louise develops. He realizes while spending time with her that her mother was a colleague of Jerome’s late father who was a known and respected Doctor. Not only that but that they had been lovers and that Louise and her mother seen a much softer side to the Doctor than what Jerome had ever experienced. This stirs emotions in him and we see powerful flash backs of his father.

The situation becomes more complicated still when after being befriended by a lady from the Solicitors office Jerome finds out, with her help, that an essential document is missing. Getting a hold of the solicitor, who we find out is behind a false address for Jerome, proves to be difficult. Some sub plots emerge such as Jerome’s mother and her relationship with the Mayor, which offers some comic moments as he tries almost too hard to please her. Jerome’s fiancé becomes furious with him as he stands her up for the London meeting, neglecting hours of preparation to stay in Ambray.

It is revealed that the missing document is in relation to the Doctor’s inheritance wishes and that it is actually Jerome’s brother who has concealed it, to protect the family. These revelations are exposed during the Village festival and we see fights, family feuds and unraveled relationships. Jerome and Louise became more than friends but she left to live a childhood dream in Zanzibar. His fiancé becomes besotted by a Chinese musician at the Festival and she finally embraces him in Jerome’s presence. Jerome still has Louise in his heart and so is unaffected.

‘Families’ is a funny film made in good taste. The ending leads us to question the typical stereotyping of characters, as the mixed relationship fades out, extra marital affairs are treated as the ‘norm’ and corruption is forgiven. Despite all the dispute it is smoothed out at the end and we feel happy for Jerome.

[imdb id=tt3613648]