Just to be Sure (Otez-moi d’une Doute), has taken its native France by storm. Released in Australia this month, this beautiful, funny and intelligent work by Carine Tardieu (director and co-writer), is sure to be just as popular here.
Erwan Gourmelon (Francois Damiens), is a middle-aged widow. His 23 year-old daughter Juliette (Alice de Lencquesaing) is pregnant by an unknown man. His aging father Bastien (Guy Marchand) is about to lose his beloved boat licence. Then life gets even more complicated when Erwan discovers that Bastien is not his birth-father. Whilst searching for his birth father, and encouraging his daughter to find out who the father of her child is (she only knows he was Zorro at the costume party and they did it up against a wall!), he meets local doctor, Anna (Cecile de France), and begins to fall in love. Outstanding as Erwan’s possible birth-father Joseph is Andre Wilms. Both Wilms and Marchand give unsentimental, yet respectful portraits of old-age.
What seems like a complicated, soap-operesque plot, unfolds in a surprisingly organic manner, due to the outstanding script. Every character is intelligently drawn and played with subtlety and respect by this superb ensemble of actors. The premise of the film is a framework from which hangs commentary about the nature of family and of love. Although labelled a “comedy”, and certainly containing some moments of genuine hilarity, this is, at heart, a drama. And one with some gentle gravitas.
This is the kind of work the French do incredibly well. What might seem forced and ridiculous in the hands of an English director, becomes authentic and moving when guided by a Gallic hand.
Tardieu’s work seduces and toys with our emotions: sometimes making us laugh; and sometimes taking an unexpected turn. But never does it become tedious or predictable.
Just to be Sure opens on Boxing Day.
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