Directed by:
Xavier DolanCinematography:
André TurpinComposer:
Gabriel YaredCast:
Nathalie Baye, Vincent Cassel, Marion Cotillard, Léa Seydoux, Gaspard Ulliel, Antoine Desrochers, Arthur Couillard, Patricia Tulasne, Théodore Pellerin (more)Plots(1)
After 12 years of estrangement a writer (Gaspard Ulliel) returns to his hometown, planning on announcing his impending death to his family. However, his mother (Nathalie Baye), tempestuous siblings (Vincent Cassel and Léa Seydoux) and beleaguered sister-in-law (Marion Cotillard) have their own personal grievances to air. As buried resentments threaten to surface and fits and feuds begin to unfold, all attempts at empathy are sabotaged by the family’s inability to listen and love. (Artificial Eye)
(more)Reviews (5)
A brief look at a family whose relationships are just a “little” complicated. Gaspard Ulliel’s acting is monotonous, Marion Cotillard looks bewitching, and Vincent Cassel’s character is a psycho. The outro music by Moby works well for the film. It’s Only the End of the World is a once-is-enough kind of flick, strong in observing psychological details, but unable to tell the essentials of its characters’ story. [Cannes]
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51st KVIFF - I believed it would be to the last moment before the screening, but no. A masterful circus on wheels.
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An spatiotemporally intimate drama from the life of a seemingly dysfunctional family that is unable to communicate properly with each other without insults and harsh words. Xavier Dolan's family conversational drama impresses with its audiovisual treatment based on a multitude of close-ups and an unmistakable musical score. What bothered me most about the film were the empty and at times forced dialogues, which, although they tell about the nature of each character, were not strong enough to engage and convince me. Talking about impending death is not a common topic of conversation, but in this case, this uneasy matter was overshadowed by a hysterical rush of emotion that mercilessly obscured the initial idea.
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It could have been an interesting drama about self-discovery, finding a way back to family, and above all, realizing one's life, which should slowly come to an end. However, where films like Fences or Manchester by the Sea manage to blend seemingly mundane dialogues with engaging narratives, this film failed to do so.
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With this conversational film, I once again reminded myself after a long time how Xavier Dolan's work can get under my skin. It is a powerful family drama about old wrongs and the inability to listen to each other, about the sadness deep inside each of us... Brilliantly shot, perhaps even better acted, and all framed by just the right amount of evocative music. The final image, accompanied by Moby's hit song, is a bitter conclusion to everything left unspoken, simmering beneath the surface the whole time. (85%)
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