TIFF ranked Les Bons Débarras (1979 or 1980) among the top 10 greatest Canadian films ever three times, when it took on this exercise in 1984, 1993 and 2004. Yet sadly, judging by the IMDb page, no one has seen this movie. It has two reviews, both from its province of origin and both from over 10 years ago. Les Bons Débarras is a movie actually worth its praise- no doubt the best early Canadian film I've seen.
Set in Quebec, the movie centres on 13-year-old troubled girl named Manon, played by Charlotte Laurier. If you think this is a regular coming-of-age story, think again- a healthy, functioning adult is not what Manon becomes. She is already precocious, like a little adult, ordering her mom Michelle around (Michelle calls her daughter "boss") and talking about taking care of her. She cuts school and wants to quit it permanently while seeking her mother's love, at one point running away for attention. Michelle is clearly exasperated with Manon, but has her hands full with a mentally challenged brother and two suitors, one of whom has impregnated her. Eventually Manon drives both her least favourite suitor and her uncle away, in a dark, psychotic fashion.
Usually I refrain from judging performances in languages I don't speak, but I will say Charlotte Laurier is haunting, and contributes to the atmosphere of the film. The first time I saw the movie, yesterday, I was puzzling to understand Manon's character, and how she got the way she is. It's hard to call her rebellious, as instead of simply pushing away from her mother she's professing to be driving towards her. On second viewing I came to wonder if, like many kids of single parents, Manon is just distraught with her mother finding love with a man, with another sibling looming- but conversely, she seems to have a close relationship with Michelle's other suitor. Manon's mental instability could relate to the cold way her mother treats her, or the lack of attention she's received. In any case, the story becomes chilling and haunting in a poetic way.
In earlier reviews I've admitted to being underwhelmed with the so-called "greatest Canadian film ever," Mon oncle Antoine (1971), where very little seems to happen, and The Little Girl Who Lives Down the Lane (1976), also featuring a slightly sinister 13-year-old girl. I find Les Bons Débarras much more satisfying, and I'm glad I was finally able to see it.
Set in Quebec, the movie centres on 13-year-old troubled girl named Manon, played by Charlotte Laurier. If you think this is a regular coming-of-age story, think again- a healthy, functioning adult is not what Manon becomes. She is already precocious, like a little adult, ordering her mom Michelle around (Michelle calls her daughter "boss") and talking about taking care of her. She cuts school and wants to quit it permanently while seeking her mother's love, at one point running away for attention. Michelle is clearly exasperated with Manon, but has her hands full with a mentally challenged brother and two suitors, one of whom has impregnated her. Eventually Manon drives both her least favourite suitor and her uncle away, in a dark, psychotic fashion.
Usually I refrain from judging performances in languages I don't speak, but I will say Charlotte Laurier is haunting, and contributes to the atmosphere of the film. The first time I saw the movie, yesterday, I was puzzling to understand Manon's character, and how she got the way she is. It's hard to call her rebellious, as instead of simply pushing away from her mother she's professing to be driving towards her. On second viewing I came to wonder if, like many kids of single parents, Manon is just distraught with her mother finding love with a man, with another sibling looming- but conversely, she seems to have a close relationship with Michelle's other suitor. Manon's mental instability could relate to the cold way her mother treats her, or the lack of attention she's received. In any case, the story becomes chilling and haunting in a poetic way.
In earlier reviews I've admitted to being underwhelmed with the so-called "greatest Canadian film ever," Mon oncle Antoine (1971), where very little seems to happen, and The Little Girl Who Lives Down the Lane (1976), also featuring a slightly sinister 13-year-old girl. I find Les Bons Débarras much more satisfying, and I'm glad I was finally able to see it.
