Papa
2005 Comedy / Drama
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Credits
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Summary
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?
Review
This second feature from director Maurice Barthélémy is a typically French
take on the “Road Movie” concept, whose defining characteristics are minimalism and realism.
The film's almost excruciatingly slow pace and rambling sparse narrative is off-putting
at first, but its strange appeal (and some quiet moments of genuine poignancy) soon draws
the spectator in, and ultimately it impresses as a rather 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.
© James Travers 2007 Write a review for this film... |
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