summer hours

confession - juliette binoche can do no wrong in these eyes
put her in a film - any film - and i'm there with rose-tinted glasses on
seems i'm not alone though - one david stratton for one at least also besotted
an interview by him of her on his tv show putting this film on the must-see list
in this film she plays adrienne, sister to 2 brothers frederic and jeremie
they and their families are visiting their mother on her 75th birthday
the film opening with children running through the country property
a joyous time for all spoilt by death-wish instructions from mother
she stating the family home will need to be sold when her time comes
valuable furniture and artwork is to be sent to the musee d'orsay
mother's uncle was a famous artist previously sharing the house
so there is national cultural interest in the pieces in the house
soon after mother does in fact pass away so it's decision time
oldest brother frederic the only one not wanting to sell
there's impassioned arguments articulated from the 3 siblings
and for me the feeling that the family may be torn apart
this dispute then becoming the central theme of the film
used as a means to expose the personalities of the siblings
and at the same time demonstrating the fine art of problem resolution
impressively and believably done with no damage to relationships
leading me to think that it may well be a cultural thing
that family, respect, decency overrides all other matters
as this problem is being resolved we learn more of the mother
there is a secret involving her relationship with her famous uncle
her long-time housekeeper adds some gentle humour to the film
and back in new york a there's a brief cameo by kyle eastwood
playing the part of adriennes supportive boyfriend in her home city
i found i was completely absorbed with this quite gentle film
i kept bracing myself for some unexpected turn, shock or twist
but no such thing - it's another case of slice of (french) life stuff
though in this case it is enriched with some emphasis on art
a subtle education as paintings, vases, and furniture is discussed
particularly with several relevant scenes in the musee d'orsay
the film goes full circle with the climax back in the family home
(older) children again seen enjoying the freedom of the property
some long single-take scenes focussing on one grand-daughter
and a quiet revelation by her that could easily be missed
but cleverly demonstrating the connection of generations
in the end juliette binoche was not the major player
just another member of a typical extended family
dealing with typical family issues and problems
typical french-film making really - love it