Son frère

English title: His Brother

Genre: psychological drama  

With: Éric Caravaca (Luc Forestier), Bruno Todeschini (his brother Thomas), Antoinette Moya (the mother), Fred Ulysse (the father), Nathalie Boutefeu (Claire), Sylvain Jacques (Vincent), Catherine Ferran (the Doctor), Robinson Stévenin (Manuel), Maurice Garrel (the old man on the beach)

Director: Patrice Chéreau

Screenplay: Patrice Chéreau and Anne-Louise Trividic (based on Philippe Besson’s novel)

Release: 2003

Studio: Arte France, Azor Films, Love Streams Productions et al.

Rating: -

MBiS score: 8.7/10

“Thomas is my brother but, unfortunately, not the brother I would have wanted.”

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Story-line: Luc and Thomas, who have been estranged for years, get back together when Luc learns that his brother is suffering from a rare illness.

Pluses: superb acting all around, a clinical, brutally realistic and psychologically astute screenplay that deals with issues head-on and irrespective of chronological order, masterful direction (singled out at the Berlin Film Festival), fitting production values and Marianne Faithfull’s haunting vocals.   

Minuses: none per se… but heed the warning below.

Comments: from what I’ve seen of him as a director, Patrice Chéreau (1944-2013) wasn’t one to sugar-coat his works and, true to form, SON FRÈRE unflinchingly illustrates the awkward but courageous reconciliation of two brothers in the midst of tragedy. And a genuine tragedy it is, considering that every moment, angle or frame speaks to Thomas’s predicament and predictable fate. As such, SON FRÈRE is human drama of the highest order… but be warned that it is also a very sad and challenging picture that you should avoid if you are feeling even slightly depressed.  

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