FIVE
France, 2016, 102 minutes, Colour.
Pierre Niney, François Civil, Igor Gottesman, Margot Bancilhon, Idrissa Hanrot, Michelle Moretti, Philippe Duclos.
Directed by Igor Gotesman,
This is a film for 20 somethings. Older audiences might share the attitude of the father of the central character, disgust at his deceptions, cutting him off financially and emotionally. But, the rather carefree attitudes of the central characters – and their having to care a great deal about their day-to-day living, financial situation, emotions.
Pierre Linney, who appeared as Yves St Laurent (and won a Cesar award for his performance) is a wealthy young man, studying medicine because his father wishes it and pays for it, but actually wanting to be an actor, going to rehearsals, coached and supported by a sympathetic older woman, attracted to one of his fellow actors.
He has some lifelong friends. One is Tim, a great chef, cheerful but irresponsible. On the other hand there is Vadim, played by the director/writer Igor Gotesman), fairly ordinary, but secretly in love and in relationship with their friend, Julia. The fifth in the group is Nestor, a serial womaniser.
Younger audiences may identify with them in reality or in some wishful thinking! Older audiences may well be irritated. The rich young man, Sam, is able to negotiate an apartment where the five of them can live. But, almost immediately, his father discovers the truth about his not being a doctor, cuts him off. While he does get some money from his friends to pay the rent, he has promised to pay the difference. There are all kinds of schemes and jobs he takes up, car delivery at a hotel, shops… However, he is introduced by Tim to a drug dealer and they undertake a huge amount for sale. Sam loses money on horses. Several people to whom they would sell the drugs, including the old lady at drama school who dies.
They also cater for a party and hope to sell the drugs but the womaniser goes to bed with the 20-year-old whose birthday is being celebrated and everybody is hounded out of the party. Further complications – and have they learned their lessons? The smart move of the others is to denounce the drug dealers to the police and have them arrested so that the debt does not have to be paid. In the meantime, the old lady has given a painting to Sam – and everybody dislikes it. At her death, she sends a message and, of course, there is a wad of cash hidden at the back of the painting.
The film opened on an island in Thailand and ends there, the five of them going to live there in an idyllic paradise setting! Some dreaming wishful thinking.
