No. 37 (2022) EVERYTHING WENT FINE (TOUT SEST BIEN PASSE) April 30th.

 

Film No. 37 (2022)  April  30th.  11.00 AM   Cinema 1.  LUNA,  Leederville.

 

"I'll need a strong dose. I have the heart of an Ox". (Andre alerts his Swiss liaison person of what he will require for a successful passing).

The individual, choosing to die (euthanasia) has been the subject of story-telling many times over, certainly in recent years as questions of religious beliefs becomes less of an adherent. TOUT SEST adds to the list of stories. Director Francois Ozon (BY THE GRACE OF GOD) has taken this painful subject, (from a novel Emmanuele Bernheim wrote, based on her experience with her father) and created a wonderfully compassionate, balanced film.  

Shot No.1, Sophie Marceau, playing Emmanuelle takes a call while writing her next novel. Her father, Andre Bernheim (Andre Dossollier) aged 85, a selfish, demanding man is being transferred to intensive care after experiencing a stroke. She rushes to be by his side. We are soon embroiled in a bittersweet relationship. And so while Andre has a wife Claude (Charlotte Rampling)distanced because of Parkinson's, and another daughter, Pascale (Geraldine Pailhas), it is Emmanuelle who is front and centre. Andre is putting his trust in her to help him end his life.

Once we know the responsibility Emmanuelle is entrusted with, we are in the care of a director (Ozon) who asks the question of society (France) and places us in the midst of intelligent people who are faced with a dilemma hopefully none of us will face. He does it with great care and humility. The blackest of moments are coloured with a humour that has great relevance. This post's opening quote is a premium example. 

The end, when it comes is inevitable, never happy, but our heroes (Emmanuelle & Pascale) are closer and better people for their deeds and the loyalty they exhibit. The title, while obscure at first sight, makes total sense as the screen goes to black. 10GUMS.