The Father of My Children (Le Pere de Mes Enfants) Review
By David Kempler
Forgive Me Father For I Am Bored
In her second feature, the very well regarded Mia Hansen-Love snagged the Special Jury Prize for young filmmakers for "The Father of My Children". The story is based on an encounter with legendary film producer Hubert Balsam.
Grégoire Canvel (Louis-Do de Lencquesaing) is a producer who lives and breathes work. While he oozes confidence, behind the scenes everything is falling apart. Bankruptcy is inevitable. His wife, Sylvia (Chiara Caselli), who is oblivious to the problems facing her husband, takes up the good fight when circumstances force her to the front lines of the battle. The couple's daughter, Clémence (Alice de Lencquesaing), also solemnly goes about the required tasks brought on by the same set of circumstances.
"The Father of My Children" is a dedication to Hubert Balsam and champions of art-house films everywhere. It's about men and women being devoted to their art, no matter the obstacles or problems encountered along the way. All that matters is the art, itself. While the message presented here is noble and all of the performances are fine, I could not wrap my brain around it or, more accurately, my emotions.
I know I was supposed to care deeply about the troubles of Grégoire and that I should greatly admire the toughness and caring of his wife and child, but I confess that I cared not a whit for any of them. That says something, because I have been known to shed a tear for a bad television commercial. I have no doubt that some will consider "The Father of My Children" to be a deep and meaningful film, but it left me absolutely limp with boredom. I got it, but I didn't care.
