The simple repetition of the soundtrack running through sets the pace of the film nicely and though a moderate length film was made to feel quite long, the conclusion was well crafted and the character exploration engaging, particularly concerning those surrounding the protagonist.
The film was primarily let down by the acting of Elsa Zylberstein and Serge Hazanavicius. The latter's character felt over-exaggerated and his redemption cliché and uninspiring, whilst the former's acting lacked credibility, epitomised in the character's farcical rant (apparently of no real consequence) towards her students in the middle of the film.
The other element that felt lacking was a more substantial exploration of the impact of long term imprisonment. It felt as though we were expected to just accept that Juliette kept herself to herself and waited out the 15 years stoically and uneventfully.
Similarly, the film seemed to portray a rather straightforward upward trajectory for Juliette, who finds permanent employment, reunites with her sister's family, effortlessly endears herself to everyone she meets, finds a soul mate and ends up with an impressive apartment in the space of a few months.
On the key subject of the film, the reveal is clear from the moment the adverse medical results are found and Juliette's heartfelt explanation of her actions presents a predictable pro-euthanasia perspective, again suggesting that 15 years added little nuance to the character's view of her actions. One can only assume that the film's creators had not had such a period of enforced reflection on the alternative vantages.
The film was primarily let down by the acting of Elsa Zylberstein and Serge Hazanavicius. The latter's character felt over-exaggerated and his redemption cliché and uninspiring, whilst the former's acting lacked credibility, epitomised in the character's farcical rant (apparently of no real consequence) towards her students in the middle of the film.
The other element that felt lacking was a more substantial exploration of the impact of long term imprisonment. It felt as though we were expected to just accept that Juliette kept herself to herself and waited out the 15 years stoically and uneventfully.
Similarly, the film seemed to portray a rather straightforward upward trajectory for Juliette, who finds permanent employment, reunites with her sister's family, effortlessly endears herself to everyone she meets, finds a soul mate and ends up with an impressive apartment in the space of a few months.
On the key subject of the film, the reveal is clear from the moment the adverse medical results are found and Juliette's heartfelt explanation of her actions presents a predictable pro-euthanasia perspective, again suggesting that 15 years added little nuance to the character's view of her actions. One can only assume that the film's creators had not had such a period of enforced reflection on the alternative vantages.