Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Declaration of War (2011)

Declaration of War • La guerre est déclarée (2011)
Declaration of War • La guerre est déclarée (2011)

Genre: Drama
Director: Valérie Donzelli
Starring: Valérie Donzelli, Jérémie Elkaïm
Language: French
Duration: 100 min.
Rating: 7.7  

Summary:
A new couple must face the ultimate test when they discover their new born child is very ill.



Declaration of War is the second film from French actress/director Valérie Donzelli, co-written with Jérémie Elkaïm based on their real life experiences. It premiered as the opening film in the Critics Week section of the 2011 Cannes Film Festival. It was France's official submission to the 84th Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film, and it was nominated six times including for Best Film at the 37th César Awards.

This story of a young couple who must learn to deal with their baby son being diagnosed with a brain tumor will probably scare most viewers away, and in fact even with the acclaim it's received I've been avoiding it assuming it would be a typical depressing melodrama. However, it turned out to be a film full of surprises, some sad ones definitely, but also some happy ones, and plenty of French New Wave inspired style too.

Juliette (Donzelli) and Romeo (Elkaïm) meet in a Paris nightclub, share a laugh over their ironic names, and fall in love at first sight. Their whirlwind romance is presented with a quick paced cutesy montage, so joyous and playful that it borders on parody, and ends with the arrival of their baby son Adam. It isn't long before they realize that something is wrong with their child, and after the tests confirm their worst fears, they find themselves in the biggest struggle of their lives.

Declaration of War • La guerre est déclarée (2011)

Donzelli impresses both in front of and behind the lens, capturing everything with a fluid camera that despite the film's tragic subject matter, manages to present us with a remarkably life affirming tone. A very Godard like upbeat rhythm is kept throughout with many fast moving shots of characters driving, running, and riding through the Paris streets. There's a judicious use of jump cuts, multiple omniscient narrators to fill us in on certain details, and even a whimsical musical interlude that helps the couple cope with the bad news. All enhanced by a strong soundtrack featuring tracks from Ennio Morricone, Vivaldi, Laurie Anderson, and Jacno.

The pair share a genuine natural chemistry, made easier perhaps because they have actually lived through it all, but I think that makes their performances here all the more impressive. It's a deeply personal story for them and that feeling comes across in every frame, but it's also an artistically refreshing portrayal that moves us without resorting to the obvious tricks. A lovely and lively collage of old and new that declares Donzelli an emerging director to look out for.

Bonjour Tristesse

Declaration of War • La guerre est déclarée (2011)

Declaration of War • La guerre est déclarée (2011)

Declaration of War • La guerre est déclarée (2011)

Declaration of War • La guerre est déclarée (2011)

Declaration of War • La guerre est déclarée (2011)

Declaration of War • La guerre est déclarée (2011)

Declaration of War • La guerre est déclarée (2011)

Declaration of War • La guerre est déclarée (2011)

6 comments:

FrontRoomCinema said...

Sounds good, but I don't think I would be able to handle it... being a parent.

The Angry Lurker said...

It's a good idea for a movie but not for me I'm afraid!

d_4 said...

It looks nice.. I honestly wouldn't guess it for award winning material, but I'll see for myself in time.

Bonjour Tristesse said...

It didn't actually win anything, just nominated.

Mette said...

I'm so glad you watched and liked it!
As you might remember, I watched it on a long distance flight without knowing anything about it - thought the poster looked catching and would have expected anything but a film about having a sick child.
I agree that the performances and soundtrack were great, and the lively and happy scenes make sure it doesn't get very depressing. In fact I would rather call it a feel-good film, though that sounds a little morbid...

Bonjour Tristesse said...

No you are right, despite our expectations for this kind of story, this was actually very much a celebration of life.

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