French Exit, The Father and Another Round

 

I guess it was the strength of the novel by Patrick deWitt that persuaded a studio to back this film. And certainly, there have been many fine lines transported to the movie. There is a whole list of quotes on Goodreads. "Your father was an emotional moron, but he wasn't evil". It's hard to describe what is a fairly surreal experience, all hidden in a traditional family drama, An exceptional cast has risen to embrace their odd characters, Michelle Pfeiffer and Lucas Hedges, the strained mother and son, lead the way. Not one of the characters is actually real, save for Susan played by Imogen Poots. But this is whole idea. Most critics I think have missed the point of what is a grey if not black comedy. Except dmtalkies.com says:

 This film shouldn’t be missed. French Exit takes you on a subtle emotional journey filled with laughter and sorrow. It is a bouquet of feelings shared by mother and son. Such narratives are rare and that’s what makes this film great.

Anthony Hopkins in his Oscar winning performance as Anthony  takes you to that place where dementia is so scary. It's as if you are experiencing his confusion. Would we all become so forgetful and abusive? We know early on that he has forgotten what happened to his other daughter, so you know he's in a bad way. All the acting is classy with a cast to die for. Olivia Coleman, Olivia Williams, Mark Gatiss, Rufus Sewell and Imogen Poots again, unrecognisable from French Exit. The production design by Peter Francis makes constant subtle changes to the flat that adds to the bewilderment, it would be interesting to see the film again just to appreciate this. For such a small location the cinematography is exceptional, the big widescreen seems to make you feel you too are sitting in the flat. Peter Bradshaw in the Guardian gave it five stars.

When a mainstream cinema chain shows a subtitled Danish movie, it has to be good. Ans so was Another Round. Funny, sad, emotional and four great performances from the male friends led by Mads Mikkelsen. Mark Kermode gave it five stars. It also won the Oscar for best international feature.