La promenade

Marina De Van is mostly known for her bizarre parts (as in François Ozon's short "See the Sea") and bizarre films ("Under my Skin", "Don't Look Back"). In this short Cesar nominated film, she shows an unexpected side of herself, more tender and more humane.

David (Gilbert Melki) gets married. On his wedding day, his 82-year-old father (Natan Cogan) tells him that he yearns for a woman and asks him if he could help him. The problem is that old Robert is not very well, both physically and mentally. The other problem lies with David who doesn't know what to do with this request. Moreover, he's very reluctant to help his father cheating on his mother. After some hesitation, he finally sees his father's request as an opportunity to strike up the complicity which is so badly missing between them. David decides to go on a stroll with Robert and the two men soon find themselves searching for a prostitute for the elderly man.

If I compare "La promenade" to De Van's previous works, I find it a much more palatable film. When watching it, you soon wonder how you would react if you were in a similar situation and what you would do then. Although old Robert's request may seem incongruous at first sight, it is perfectly understandable and makes this little tale quite universal. De Van raises the issue of the place the elderly have in our modern society and how their sexuality is addressed. Her film is never condescending nor pompous. Leaving for a while her dark fantasies, De Van displays an unusual affection for her characters. Gilbert Melki is as usually very good playing the son at turns bewildered, comical, irritating and moving -- he is definitely one of the most subtle actors we have in France.