Ceci est mon corps (2001) Directed by Rodolphe Marconi
Drama
aka: This Is My Body
Film Review
Ceci est mon corps is the first full length film
to be directed by Rodolphe Marconi, who previously won the 1999 Cannes Jury Prize for
his impressive short film Stop. Whilst
photographed with maturity and sincerity, the film's threadbare narrative and tendency
to replay tired clichés prevents it from having any real impact. Despite
the combined talents of an impressive cast, too many scenes fail to convince, and the
editing is unnecessarily arty in the rare moments of dramatic intensity. Jane Birkin,
in her first French film role for four years, appears to have as much difficulty with
her character as her lines, but her presence gives the film the wry introspection and
weight which are lacking elsewhere. Louis Garrel - son of director Philippe
Garrel and grandson of actor Maurice Garrel - shows talent in his portrayal of the
lead character Antoine, but, again hampered by a weak script, he just fails to make his
character believable. The film's misleading title (which was vehemently attacked
by Christian fundamentalists) and its French poster boldly imply raw eroticism and a sense
of “enfant terrible”-style provocation, two things which are strikingly absent
from the film.
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Film Synopsis
The son of a highly successful businessman, Antoine looks set to follow in
his father's footsteps after a brilliant start to his academic career.
But the young man begins to resent that his future has already been carved
out for him and secretly he longs to do something different. He gets
his chance to do just this when the controversial film director Louise Vernet
offers him the lead role in her next film. Naturally, Antoine's family
are appalled by his decision to give up his studies and jeopardise his future
on a whim. Undeterred, Antoine accepts the role but then soon discovers
he is a replacement for another actor, Lukas, who committed suicide after
a turbulent love affair with his director. Ever since, Louise has been
haunted by the memory of the man she drove to his death...
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