THE INNOCENT

France, 2022, 98 minutes, Colour.

Louis Garrel, Roschdy Zem, Noemie Merlant, Anouk Grinberg.

Directed by Louis Garrel.

There is something about French sensibility in cinema that is different from other cultures –tres francaise, as they say. And it is the case here.

So, one can immediately say that this is a French film for those who delight in French cinema – perhaps others might be a bit puzzled about the characters’ behaviour, attitudes. But, The Innocent has received enthusiastic reviews and awards.

It has also been described as a comedy. As well as a drama. The drama, involving a 30 something widower and his relationship with his artistic actress mother, her marrying again, especially a convicted robber who is nearing his and of term in prison and is a participant in her acting workshop. The son, Abel, is not happy and lets the new husband, Michel, know this with no uncertainty.

As regards the comedy, perhaps a better word than comic would be that the characters and situations are sometimes droll. You may laugh. You may smile. This is especially the case later in the film at a truck stop where Abel and his friend, Clemence, have agreed to help Michel while he and some friends steal caviar from a long-distance truck. The comedy is in how they keep the driver distracted, pretending to have arguments and squabbles, the driver, eventually listening in, volunteering to help…

The film was cowritten and directed by French actor, Louis Garrel. Over the decades he has appeared in many films, usually rather morose in his look and attitudes. He has that dark and brooding look. One does not expect him to smile let alone laugh though, eventually, he does do a little of both, surprising us that it was he who actually wrote some of these lines and directed them.

So, the narrative is interesting, unpredictable, taking a number of turns, highlighting the delight of the mother when Michel sets her up in a florist shop, Abel still grieving his wife, following and spying on Michel, and dragged into the intrigue.

And, we did not expect the ending of the film – but it fits right into the atmosphere.

1. The title? Abel and his life, brought up by his mother, his relationship with her, her demands on him, marriage, the death of his wife in the accident, his grief?
2. The settings, the opening in prison, the final sequences in prison? Homes, celebrations, the flower shop, the streets with a Abel following Michelle, the truck stop, the robbery of the caviar, the police Chase, the arrests? The musical score?
3. The title and its tone, drama, comedy, the blend?
4. Louis Garell, actor and director, age, not exactly sympathetic, his reaction to his mother’s marriage, memories of the past and her marriages and relationships, her histrionic style? The wedding ceremony, morose, meeting Michelle? Disliking him? Threatening him against hurting his mother? His reaction to the flower shop? Suspicions of Michelle, following him, the connection with the Uranian? His relationship with Clements, her friendship with his wife, the scenes of their discussions, her dating, carefree responses? His mother and the shop, her happiness?
5. Sylvie, actress, prison, coaching the drama, Michelle’s performance, falling in love, the past, bringing up Abel, the marriage ceremony, the flower shop and her enthusiasm, trust in Michelle? Trying to persuade able to like him?
6. Michelle, the opening, the performance, the relationship with Sylvie, the wedding, his release, the money for the shop, the background connection with the Uranian? His past career, robberies, the conversation about this with Abel? His indebtedness? Abel following him? The plan for the caviar robbery? Abel accosting him, the discussion, Michelle wanting able to be part of the plot? Clements and her enthusiasm? The rehearsals for the scenario with the truck driver at the truck stop? Clements and her enthusiasm about acting on feelings? Abel and his difficulties?
7. Abel, going to the cemetery, his dead wife? His work in the aquarium, the groups, the children, his enthusiasm?
8. The robbery of the caviar, the careful planning? The driver, his obsessive routines, having his meal, at the adjacent table? Abel and Clements, the scenarios, acting, faltering, encouragement, the involvement of the driver, his sympathy, Clements and her performance, Abel and his being upset, going out, to the toilet, Clements pleading with him, encouraged by the driver?
9. The robbery, the truck, hidden, carrying the boxes? The double cross, the guns on Michelle? Clements realising this, the loudspeaker, pretending to be the police, getting the truck and driving off? Abel with Michelle, Michelle and his wound? Going to the hospital? Michelle in the hospital, Sylvie’s visit, her disillusionment, is not telling the truth? Clements, going to the aquarium, storing the caviar, keep getting cold storage?
10. The police, the arrest, Abel in court, going to jail, the routines in jail, the encouraging letter from Michelle, and the marriage ceremony in the jail, his mother speech, the happy ending?