L’avenir (Things To Come) review: A reflective drama featuring a superb central performance from Isabelle Huppert.
L’avenir (Things To Come) review: A middle-aged woman, Nathalie (Isabelle Huppert), from Paris, is happy with her existence – a great job teaching philosophy; great husband, and two children that have happily flown the nest. Then, there are the two homes, and the holidays in Brittany, but things are about to change as her husband reveals that he has met another woman, and has chosen to be with her; so, after 25 years of marriage, Nathalie must ultimately reinvent herself to accommodate the change.
Mila Hansen-Løve‘s fifth film explores many subjects, some that most can relate to. It explores open roads, pastures new and blank canvasses, as well as heartbreak, loneliness and loss. Key to the story is the wonderful central performance from Isabelle Huppert, a superb actress known to western audiences for her sensational performance in Amour and The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby (Him and Her). Huppert dominates every scene in this too, her character the catalyst for every turn in the plot, and the person we share every emotion with. She commands her role from the off and dominates proceedings throughout.
With a lengthy running time, the film does drag in places, but that’s not to say you start to become dis-involved in Nathalie’s story. Hansen-Love’s direction is solid, and her choice to move away from her more youthful dramas like 2014’s Eden and the previous Goodbye, First Love, is welcomed. This slightly more mature story fits her well, and is a wonderful change of path.
A solid turn from all involved, and one which went down pleasantly with a packed Palast here in Berlin.
L’avenir (Things To Come) review by Paul Heath, Berln Film Festival, February, 2016.
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