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The First Day of the Rest of Your Life 2008
This popular French hit is a dramatic comedy about family dynamics and the urge to escape them. Robert (Jacques Gamblin), who's still being talked down to by his own father, and wife Marie-Jeanne are doing their best to allow their three children the space to go their own ways. Covering the years 1988–2000, we zoom in on the events of five separate days. On each day a different one of the five family members is striking out on his or her own in some way, but we're also granted a gratifying picture of what the other four are up to at the time.
Rémi Bezançon directs his own script. He references '90s music and styles with perfect recall to pinpoint the years, while keeping an eye on the shifts in mutual appreciation among parents and progeny. (Source: NZ International Film Festival)
Starring Jacques Gamblin, Zabou Breitman, Déborah François, Marc-André Grondin, Pio Marmaï
Directed by Rémi Bezançon ('Ma vie en l'air', 'Paraboles')
Written by Rémi Bezançon
Drama | 1hr 54mins | Rated (M) | contains sex scenes, offensive language, drug use | Origin: France | Language: French with English subtitles
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Flicks review
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The year’s final French charmer will please some, even if it's not quite as clever as it thinks. It tells its story in episodic fashion, with over a decade’s worth of family drama condensed into five flashpoint days. This approach is successful as the chapters work as both self-contained short stories and an overarching narrative, each alluding and calling back to events in their predecessors.
Layered upon these is an aesthetic that oozes panache and, dare we say it, French flair. A vibrant use of colour enlivens most scenes. Underpinning this is a great soundtrack – varied, catchy and with a keen sense for the emotional content on screen.
But the story of a family overcoming its petty internal squabbles is a bit of a hoary old chestnut and many clichés rear their heads. The particular happy ending chosen is a generic standby and can be seen coming from a mile off.
The humour is hit and miss but the film should be applauded for taking a tired story and injecting it with life and creativity.
By Andreas Heinemann, Flicks.co.nz
The Peoples voice
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5
By francophile
Press Reviews
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Guardian (UK)
The film is both simple and emotionally dense, the performances are beyond reproach and almost everyone will find something that relates closely to their experiences. The comedy is beautifully handled, notably in a scene in which the taxi driver goes to a crucial consultation with a young specialist.
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Little White Lies (UK)
The bottom line is that life can be harsh, but dealing with tragedy will make you stronger in the end. A heartening outlook for sure, but not a particularly original one.
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NZ Herald (Peter Calder)
3 3 out of 5 stars
Funny and often moving portrait of a family.
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Times (UK)
A handsome but soapy French family drama.
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Variety (USA)
A tightly knit, bittersweet crowdpleaser that stays just on the right side of syrupy.
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