On the basis that Depardieu Senior is always watchable, Sylvie Testud is one of the finest of the younger generation of French actresses and it cost only five euros I bought this DVD knowing that the movie had bombed in the salles but little else. It seems clear that Jacob Berger, himself the son of a noted writer, is attempting to work through his own hang-ups via a movie and the consensus appears to be, fine, go right ahead BUT make sure you don't forget the movie part. Alas, it wasn't to be so what we have is a mish-mosh at best. It's possible that Berger was aiming for irony in making the leading character a Nobel prize-winner but a total failure at fatherhood; the message seems to be why not aim at winning a prize for parenting and THEN think of competing for the Dynamite money. Contrary to what is on display here Guillaume Depardieu can actually act better than this, not much maybe but certainly a little, I know, because I've seen him but if this were his first film he'd probably never get another unless he financed it himself. Sylvie Testud is under used and given little to do except personify angst but as always she does it as well as it can be done. Other than that ... well, what do you want for five euros.
Review of A Loving Father
