Inclubabu Plot so thin, it passes unnoticed.

Konterr Brilliant and touching

Solidrariol Am I Missing Something?

Curapedi I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.

FilmCriticLalitRao Apart from having loads of incomplete information about the lifestyles of film stars, most people also have their minds full of vague ideas about film producers as they are taken for rich businessmen. A layman doesn't think twice before believing that producers would be willing to invest in any film. Father, producer and suicide are three key words which describe the essence of Mia Hansen-Løve's film 'Father of my children'/Le Père De Mes Enfants". In the beginning, there is a doting father in this film who has immense love for his children. What is worth appreciating is the fact that despite his tight schedule, he manages to spend time with his family. From a sociological point of view, family is the most important social structure known to human beings. This is one reason why the film's protagonist takes good care of his family. He knows that he can strike a fine balance with family life and work. However, there are times when life offers new surprises. It is at this stage that one witnesses how despair,tremendous pressure drive a famous producer to commit suicide. The real worth of a human being can be measured only at the time of his/her absence. This maxim can be applied to this film's title which looks at a father who is no more from the point of view of his children and wife.

paul2001sw-1 'The Father Of My Children' tells the story of the family of a film producer who comes under financial stress. Plot-wise, the film surprises when the expected ending occurs half-way through; we thus get to also see the aftermath. There's nothing wrong with this per se, although it means we really have two stories in one, and the overall narrative arc is thus slightly broken. But I don't think this is the only reason this film seems strangely devoid of dramatic tension. Even though there are some fairly notable developments, nothing really seems to upset the serenity of its affluent characters. At one point, there's a power cut and the lights go off; after a few minutes, they come back on again, and in some ways, that's how the whole film feels: stuff happens, but the consequences always seem not to actually matter that much. I normally like understated films; but this one, although nicely put together, feels underplayed, and therefore, just a little uninteresting.

bon22 This film gave me the kind of experience I hope for when watching French movies: A character driven, intimate story, which so involved me that I feel as if I'd been away on a trip to France. The performances were authentic & lean. The scenery, both interior shots of apartments & buildings, as well as exterior shots of street life, made me feel as if I was in Paris. I was engrossed as to how the characters reacted to the heavy subject matter & how the story line progressed. The film has great depth without feeling heavy.A reviewer here on IMDb commented about how they didn't like the scenes which were not driving the story line, but for me, that's what I love about (some) French Cinema: a character walks from point A to point B or a character orders coffee while awaiting an important appointment. These connecting scenes are the stuff of real life & enable the viewer to identify with the character. Everyone experiences those mundane moments & knows what it feels like.Except for the main character Gregoire, I did not judge the reactions of the other characters: I simply observed their reactions to the serious events that befell them.The final scene was darkly humorous: Doris Day sings "Que Sera, Sera" as the characters flee Paris, leaving behind the life they had loved.

gradyharp Yes, this space is dedicated to the sale of a movie poster for the magnificent film 'Le père de mes enfants' (THE FATHER OF MY CHILDREN) but likely the film spot will surface very soon: this is on of those foreign films that enters quietly, gently urging audiences to notice how fine the product is. So despite the fact that the film is currently in theaters and will soon be released on DVD, this serves as a wake-up notice to film lovers everywhere. Young Writer/Director Mia Hansen-Løve has created a story loosely based on a real situation that manages to examine the central aspect of family love: 'the defeat of death, the victory of life'. Grégoire Canvel (Louis-Do de Lencquesaing) is a producer in the film industry, an auteur who is devoted to quality films. As a producer he has several films in varying stages of production (including one in Sweden directed by a difficult genius who has little respect for cost containment) and the financial aspects of his Moon Films is in rocky terrain, despite being surrounded by a staff devoted to his vision and going without pay because of their commitment. At the same time Grégoire is a devoted husband to his wise wife Sylvia (Chiara Caselli) and to his three daughters - the oldest being the sensitive Clémence (a stunning portrayal by young Alice de Lencquesaing), Valentine (Alice Gautier) and Billie (Manelle Driss) - taking country walks with them and being wholly involved with their family activities, despite the fact that he is constantly on the cellphone managing the tragedies that abound at work. It is apparent that everyone who comes into contact with Grégoire feels the special gifts he has - except for the lawyer and creditors he tries to avoid. The financial sinkhole opens and Grégoire, in despair, commits suicide. The story actually begins here, as the point of the film is how each of the people who came under Grégoire's influence - co-workers, wife and children, and friends - responds to the loss of this man. There is not the usual breast-beating grieving, but rather a quiet study of how each of these people is affected by and reacts to the passing of a solitary genius by suicide. The film is definitely one that is life affirming rather than an extended eulogy! The entire cast is excellent, with special kudos to the children as well as to Eric Elmosnino who plays a rock bound friend to the family and the director's brother Igor Hansen-Løve whose small part as a hopeful writer is richly detailed. This may be too early a time to judge the talent of Mia Hansen-Løve, but if she is able to maintain the quality she achieves in THE FATHER OF MY CHILDREN, she has an exciting future in cinema. Highly recommended. Grady Harp