I've seen this movie from start to finish about seven times and I probably will see it a few more times in the coming years. It's a film that I really love watching, especially late at night, when the rest of the world is asleep.
The movie deals with the unraveling of a family during a typical Friday dinner. Everyone has their personal problems and are all eager to discuss, and share them with one another, as usual. The crux of the story is the realization by Betty, the youngest daughter, of how she, and the rest of the family have mistreated Henri, the family "idiot" all these years. A small comment by Denis makes Betty finally come to see, clearly for the first time, the workings of the family dynamic. This epiphany gives Betty the courage to stand up for herself to her mother and her brother Phillipe for the first time as she becomes more sympathetic towards Henri.
The writing is so strong, the staging of the scenes so seamless with the plot, the characters each so unique and the acting of the ensemble cast so flawless. There are really no weak points to this movie. I love the scene where Yoyo is at a lost for words after receiving the dog certificate from her mother-in-law and all of a sudden she turns to joy when she hears music and is on the dance floor, flinging away her shoes, as she gets into it with Denis....to Patti Smith's People Have the Power no less. Catherine Frot really made an impression... and the last scene, where she kisses Henri goodbye and comments on how good the duck was and the last wave goodbye... that was priceless.
The movie deals with the unraveling of a family during a typical Friday dinner. Everyone has their personal problems and are all eager to discuss, and share them with one another, as usual. The crux of the story is the realization by Betty, the youngest daughter, of how she, and the rest of the family have mistreated Henri, the family "idiot" all these years. A small comment by Denis makes Betty finally come to see, clearly for the first time, the workings of the family dynamic. This epiphany gives Betty the courage to stand up for herself to her mother and her brother Phillipe for the first time as she becomes more sympathetic towards Henri.
The writing is so strong, the staging of the scenes so seamless with the plot, the characters each so unique and the acting of the ensemble cast so flawless. There are really no weak points to this movie. I love the scene where Yoyo is at a lost for words after receiving the dog certificate from her mother-in-law and all of a sudden she turns to joy when she hears music and is on the dance floor, flinging away her shoes, as she gets into it with Denis....to Patti Smith's People Have the Power no less. Catherine Frot really made an impression... and the last scene, where she kisses Henri goodbye and comments on how good the duck was and the last wave goodbye... that was priceless.