The Crusade | Tale for all ★★★





Parents discover that their son has secretly sold their personal items, some of them precious. The latter admits to them that he did not act alone, but with the complicity of an organization which brings together teenagers concerned about the climate crisis and who are raising money to finance a mysterious project.

Posted at 11:30 a.m.

Luc Boulanger

Luc Boulanger
The Press

The latest film from comedian and director Louis Garrel (The faithful man) is an ecological and urban fable. A comic medium-length film on a serious subject, against the backdrop of the discreet charm of a bourgeoisie overtaken by our time.

Quite funny and endearing at first, The crusade however, does not manage to make us forget its clumsiness, and its wobbly screenplay (co-written by Garrel and Jean-Claude Carrière) which surfs between utopia and dystopia. This is the ultimate scenario of Career, the prolific writer died in February 2021.

Abel and Marianne, a couple of Parisian sores played by Louis Garrel and Laetitia Casta (also partners in life), discover that their 13-year-old son has squandered their precious possessions. They count the losses: the Dior dress, the leather jacket, the rare books, the great vintages… all sold to finance the secret organization of which their son is a member. To carry out urgent projects to save the planet.

In the wake of the popularity of Greta Thunberg, the co-authors have imagined a tale of anticipation where children take the fate of the blue planet into their own hands. A world both terrifying and comforting in which the ideals of youth are safe havens. Moreover, the young Swedish activist appears in the middle of the film, thanks to a short extract from her speech at the UN in 2019, in which she deplored the inaction of the leaders: “How dare you! »

Unfortunately, the humor and pacing falter along the way. As if the characters were looking for reasons to move the story forward. The feverish camera constantly jostles the frame, leaving the viewer with no point of view. Because The crusade moves away from climate issues to evoke love, sexuality, fidelity, etc. Reflections of adults held by children, as in a romantic comedy. The story then becomes less relevant, until the final scene, which is a little flat.

It’s surprising to hear the character of Louis Garrel say to his partner that he has “taken a damn old shot”… at 38 years old. Luckily, his film proves to us that he has kept his child’s heart. So he doesn’t need to give adults the wrong role.

Indoors

The crusade

Drama

The crusade

Louis Garrel

With Laetitia Casta, Joseph Engel and Louis Garrel

1:10 a.m.


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