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Papa
2005 Comedy / Drama
 Review
This second feature from director Maurice Barthélémy is a typically French
take on the “Road Movie” concept, whose defining characteristics
are minimalism and near-the-knuckle realism.
The film’s slow pace and sparse narrative is off-putting
at first, but its strange allure (and some quiet moments of genuine poignancy) soon draws
the spectator in, and ultimately it impresses as a deeply moving, skilfully understated
piece of drama.
Alain Chabat is far better known for playing comic roles than straight dramatic roles but in this film he demonstrates a surprising talent for the latter, although his contribution is very nearly eclipsed by the delightful Martin Combes, who plays the traumatised boy Louis with an understanding and sensitivity way beyond his years. Papa is a thoughtful and stirring meditation on fatherhood and the unbreakable bond between a father and his son. © James Travers 2007 Write a review for this film...User Comments
Alain and Martin are great... Chabat est hyper-surprenant dans son
jeux: il est irrésistible. C’est un Grand sur un sujet
comme ça. Superbe. Le sujet est traité le
plus délicatement possible et c’est la rebellion du père
contre les culs serrés qui domine. Le film est rempli de
gens que l’on n’aimerait pas rencontrés et d’autres dont les
petits gestes anodins et la gentillesse naturelle permettent de
conserver un peu d’espoir sur le genre humain. Dans des moments
comme celui du contexte du film, ces petits gestes prennent une
importance démesurée pour le Papa qu’est Alain
Chabat. Bon, de toute façon je suis inconditionnel de
Chabat. Maurice Barthélemy prouve qu’il est un Grand lui
aussi. Vivement le prochain film!Bruno (France) 
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Director:
Maurice Barthélémy
Starring: Alain Chabat, Martin Combes, Yaël Abecassis, Judith Godrèche, Anne Benoît Synopsis
A middle-aged man is driving his car down the highways of rural France, unhurried and
seemingly without aim. His companion is a young boy who seems to being enjoying
the adventure of the open road, except that he occasionally asks the strangest of questions.
A father and his son. Where are they going? What sadness do they share, and
will they ever be cured of it?
Credits
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