What to see this week? Here are our reviews of the latest films released in theaters or on a platform.
Origin : Convincing, but didactic
“There is a formal defect in Origin, a documentary-inspired fiction that doesn’t quite manage to choose sides or fulfill its promises. Certainly, this indictment against dehumanization is at times powerful. Unfortunately, the best intentions do not always result in the best films,” writes our columnist Marc Cassivi.
The teachers’ room : A class apart
“With a simple structure and an effective storyline, the film makes a detailed analysis of the many problems of the current educational environment, without claiming to offer a realistic portrait. We should not try to understand everyone’s motivations. It is better to indulge in the “snowball” effect, specific to the genre of suspense, here with omnipresent anxiety-provoking music and long journeys in the corridors of the establishment,” writes our journalist Luc Boulanger.
The poet’s bride : Follow the flow
“Tinged with a touch of magical realism that Jaco Van Dormael would not deny, The poet’s bride is a fable as joyful as it is disheveled where Yolande Moreau juggles with different serious themes, including broken families, disappointed loves, job insecurity, immigration, gender identity and loneliness. Rather than making everything sink into pathos, the filmmaker spices up this story of resilience, solidarity and resourcefulness with a sweet madness and naive poetry,” writes our journalist Manon Dumais.
A matter of honor : A thin blade
“By wanting to revive on screen the golden age of duels, a time when politicians did not hesitate to confront journalists with foil in hand, Vincent Perez (Angel skin, Alone in Berlin) and Karine Silla (A butterfly kiss, From Almond Trees to Almond Trees), co-writer, had the good idea of recalling the struggle of women. And this is certainly the most interesting aspect of this story of revenge and virility taking place in a tormented atmosphere, where the most ardent guardians of tradition take a dim view of the slightest sign of progress,” writes our journalist Manon Dumais.
Elsewhere if I’m there : Lack of tone
“ Elsewhere if I’m there is intended to be a fanciful and funny film, despite the dark side of the subject. But we hardly laugh at the drift of the characters – the nervous breakdowns of Mathieu’s boss, Guy (Jean-Luc Bideau), for example, are more unbearable than anything else. Just like the procrastination of Stéphane (Samir Guesmi), which is much more awkward than amusing,” writes our journalist Josée Lapointe.