«Jalouse», Karin Viard in the midst of a mid-life crisis

Cinema Wednesdays - Jonas Follonier

Jealous is the new feature film from David and Stéphane Foenkinos. A French comedy-drama, it depicts the torment of a woman approaching menopause. As noted by Le Figaro, this theme is becoming a recurring one in France: «From L'Aurore from Blandine Lenoir to Back to my mother from Eric Lavaine to L'Avenir by Mia Hansen-Love, French cinema doesn't seem to shy away from the idea of tackling this a priori daunting subject.

A head-scratcher? The term is well chosen by the right-wing daily. Indeed, while the subject matter is serious and interesting, its one-sided nature makes it a cinematic risk. This is the disadvantage of all works with a psychological bent, which extend over the duration of a film an issue affecting the character of one of the protagonists. The Foenkinos brothers have fallen halfway into the trap, taking care of the cast to the detriment of the plot. Here are some explanations.

Karin Viard, remarkably detestable

First of all, it's worth noting that the character of Nathalie Pêcheux, played by Karin Viard, is present on screen from start to finish. The natural acting of this actress, who has already won two Césars, is a necessary and sufficient condition for the film's success. Jealous the road. The woman she plays is a professor of literature in her fifties who, freshly divorced, almost overnight becomes jealous of her own daughter and her ex-husband's new wife. As a result of this malaise, which she only half admits to herself, she finds herself increasingly alone, as those around her can no longer stand her.

Among this entourage, we would have appreciated a more recurring presence of the ex-husband, played by the excellent Thibault de Montalembert, known for his role in the series Ten percent, whose first season premiered on France 2 last year. However, the film's logic dictates that the secondary actors remain in the background to make way for the sole protagonist worthy of the name. Karin Viard takes on this role in spectacular fashion, incorporating her character's bovarianism right down to the slightest crease in her face.

An average scenario

For anyone who is not a fan of this actress, the film will seem long, even drawn-out. The screenplay is certainly to blame. Multiplying conventional jokes and expected twists and turns, it doesn't match the actors. In addition to Karin Viard and Thibault de Montalembert, viewers can admire the freshness of Anaïs Demoustier, resplendent with beauty, and would like to see a little more of her. The stereotype of the dynamic young teacher that the text forces her to play disappoints.

The same goes for Nathalie's best friend, where once again actress Anne Dorval is clearly better than the film. That said, the film does have the merit of reminding us of the value of true friendship, not based on transparency, but on benevolence. What's more, despite its length, the Foenkinos brothers' new feature refrains from moralizing, preferring complexity to ready-made statements, and sticking to problems without offering solutions.

All in all, this film is well worth seeing for all French cinema fans, without expecting a masterpiece. Everyone can then make up their own minds.

Write to the author : jonas.follonier@leregardlibre.com

Photo credit: © Ecran Large