Mon oncle d’Amérique

Genre: behavioural docufiction

With: Gérard Depardieu (René Ragueneau), Nicole Garcia (Janine Garnier), Roger-Pierre (Jean Le Gall), Nelly Borgeaud (Arlette Le Gall), Pierre Arditi (Zambeaux), Gérard Darrieu (Léon Veestrate), Philippe Laudenbach (Michel Aubert), Marie Dubois (Thérèse Ragueneau), Henri Laborit (himself)

Director: Alain Resnais

Screenplay: Jean Gruault (based on Henri Laborit’s scientific work)

Release: 1980

Studio: Philippe Dussart, Andrea Films, TF1

Rating: U

MBiS score: 8.9/10

 

 

‟Animals – and men for that matter – are endowed with four instincts: survival, flight, struggle and inhibition.”

 

 

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Story-line: MON ONCLE D’AMÉRIQUE illustrates Henri Laborit’s behavioural theories by applying them to three fictional characters: (1) Jean Le Gall. a teacher, civil servant, broadcasting executive and controversial writer, (2) Janine Garnier, a fashion stylist and stage actress involved with a married man, and (3) René Ragueneau, a country boy who has worked his way up to a managerial position in the textile industry. Their common trait? They are all driven, ambitious individuals who want to live life to the fullest.  

Pluses: impressive performances by well-known thespians, a serious, detailed and perfectly logical screenplay that ingeniously uses old movie snippets to buttress each character’s motivations, fine direction and editing, plain-Jane photography, adequate production values and a lovely, efficient musical score by Arié Dzierlatka.

Minuses: the first act (25 minutes or so) may feel dry and didactic but the story itself becomes amply relevant once its theoretical foundations have been laid.  

Comments: MON ONCLE D’AMÉRIQUE - an original, enriching and expertly crafted hybrid film - is an invaluable record of Henri Laborit’s genius and a clear-headed demonstration of basic behavioural concepts. According to the Petit Robert dictionary, the French expression ‟mon oncle d’Amérique” refers to an imaginary relative who dies abroad and unexpectedly leaves you a fortune, a pipe dream really, sort of like ‟if I ever win the lottery…” As for the film’s conclusions about the human condition, I’m sure you will find them eye-opening but also horrifying. In spite of his vast knowledge, man still has plenty to learn…   

 

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 Business of Strangers (The)

 

Genre: psychological drama

With: Stockard Channing (Julie Styron), Julia Stiles (Paula Murphy), Fred Weller (Nick Harris), Mary Testa (the receptionist), Jack Hallet (Mr. Fostwick), Marcus Giamatti (Robert)

Director: Patrick Stettner

Screenplay: Patrick Stettner

Release: 2001

Studio: Headquarters Post, i5 Films

Rating: 14A

MBiS score: 7.5/10

 

Come Up for Your Comeuppance

 

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Story-line: Julie Styron, a mid-level employee for a tech firm, is trapped in a nightmare. Having just arrived in some city for a meeting with prospective clients, she learns that her boss is flying over to join her. Assuming she’ll be sacked, she contacts a recruiter right away to find a new job. Then, at the meeting itself, she realizes that Paula Murphy, who was due to assist her with her presentation, hasn’t shown up yet.    

Pluses: fine performances, notably by the very talented Stockard Channing (boy, can she deliver a good slap!), an original screenplay dealing with modern work, ambition, stress and sexual politics, capable direction and adequate production values.

Minuses: none I can think of. Some reviewers have criticized this film as less daring than IN THE COMPANY OF MEN but I won’t go any further since I haven’t seen both movies.   

Comments: it’s a bit difficult to explain what THE BUSINESS OF STRANGERS really is without revealing too much of the plot. Story-wise, it’s a small-scale but tricky film à la David Mamet; it follows one tangent and, once you’ve found your groove, it veers off on another tangent and traps you with unexpected twists. I will admit it’s no masterpiece… but it doesn’t pretend to be one either. Kudos to Patrick Stettner and crew for this fresh, interesting and competent picture about real people with real problems.

 

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