Father Of My Children

One of my favourite types of films are those that explore what happens behind the scenes when making a film. This is one such French film about a producer.

Not many behind the scenes films are made about producers. Most of them focus on either the actor, the writer or director. So it was refreshing to see a film that looks at the producer's side of things. Writer/director Mia Hanson-Love has crafted a very realistic look at the struggles a producer has in trying to get his films made. While the other films that focus on the creative struggle that say a director, actor or writer has with making a film Mia looks at the equally hard financial struggle that a producer has. Like many jobs you see portrayed on film and TV you often wonder how these people have time for family. But our lead character, Gregoire Canvel, manages to work in time in his busy schedule to be with his family. Granted he does use his phone a bit too much, just the fact that he is with them is a big deal. One thing that did surprise me was how far Gregoire lives from the office. At the beginning of the film we see him driving home from work and there is a montage of scenes of him driving along the highway that makes it look like it takes hours for him to get home. I would have thought with his busy life he'd move closer to the city. I don't want to say too much more about the film as the story takes an unexpected turn which I don't want to spoil. My only problem with it is I thought the ending went on for a little bit too long.

Louis-Do De Lencquesaing gives an excellent performance as the very busy Gregoire. He is marvelous at displaying externally a face of happiness and calm yet inside we know there is great turmoil as he struggles to keep his business afloat. Chiara Caselli is equally good as Gregoire's wife Sylvia who must see his husband struggle . She really comes to the fore in the second half of the film.

An excellent French film that looks at an often overlooked area of film production. Very realistic in its depiction of what a producer goes through.