March
27
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THE TRUTH (LA VÉRITÉ) (PG)
THE TRUTH (LA VÉRITÉ) (PG)
Director: Hirokazu Kore-eda
Run time: 106 minutes
Cast: Catherine Deneuve, Juliette Binoche, Ethan Hawke, Ludivine Sagnier, Clémentine Grenier, Manon Clavel, Alain Libolt, Christian Crahay, Roger Van Hool, Laurent Capelluto, Jackie Berroyer
Synopsis: Fabienne (Deneuve) is an ageing French movie icon who, despite her momentary lapses in memory, remains a venerable force to be reckoned with. Upon the publication of her memoirs, her daughter Lumir (Binoche) returns to Paris from New York with her husband (played by Ethan Hawke) and their young daughter to commemorate its release. Sparks immediately begin to fly between the mother-daughter duo when Lumir takes issue with Fabienne’s rose-tinted version of events. Yet, as the past is gradually confronted, their strained relationship takes a poignant journey toward possible reconciliation.
Languages: French, English
URL: https://youtu.be/LoNoOn6c0gA
Legends of French cinema Catherine Deneuve and Juliette Binoche come together on screen for the first time in The Truth, a film from Oscar-nominated director Hirokazu Kore-eda [Shoplifters (2018), Still Walking (2008)], his first feature set outside his native Japan. The screenplay is by Hirokazu Koreeda, who builds in a sci-fi ‘film-within-film’ device based on a short story by Ken Liu.
Central to the film is the stormy reunion that occurs between an actress (Deneuve) and her daughter (Binoche) after the former publishes her memoirs. This moving portrait of family dynamics is painted with the luminous Deneuve as Fabienne, an old school French movie diva who, despite her momentary lapses in memory, remains a venerable force to be reckoned with. Upon the publication of her memoirs, which portray her as a devoted mother, her estranged daughter Lumir returns to Paris from New York with her husband (Ethan Hawke) and their young daughter, to attend the book’s launch. A sharp and funny battle of wits ensues between the mother-daughter duo, as Lumir takes issue with Fabienne’s rose-coloured version of the past. Their strained relationship takes a poignant journey towards a possible future reconciliation. Charming, bold, and imbued with endless emotional insight, The Truth offers a relatable look at human relationships, featuring exquisite performances from its entire ensemble cast.
The film has an enjoyably offhanded, relaxed tone, livened up with barbed dialogue and spiky character interactions that offer clever insight into the nature of family relationships.
“What matters most is personality! Presence!” declares Fabienne, determined not to fade into obscurity, a fear which underlies her vicious comments and peevish interactions. Deneuve’s mesmerising performance ensures that this will never be her fate!
Binoche is suitable foil as her more grounded film editor daughter who tries mockery, confrontation and humour to get her much admired mother to realise that “The Truth” is whatever version you’ve come to believe.
A real pleasure to spend time with these talented women.
Watch now online on: Curzon Home Cinema
Images courtesy of: CURZON
