LIVING ROOM SECRETS -- NUE PROPRIETE

Several weeks ago I was walking home from work and passed The Roxie Cinema. As I walked passed this cool, chic and decaying theatre I noticed a French movie poster. Imagine my surprise when I realized it was THE Isabelle Huppert on that poster! Yes! It was an film staring Ms. Huppert and I hadn't even known it was here!!!

So, I pulled out the cell phone and called an emergency cinema summit! These meeting of great minds consisted of me, Ing, Alan and Mr. C. B was unable to join as he had a work commitment. So, the four of us sat in the tiny cinema and were soon engulfed into something that I don't think any of us had expected.

As always, Isabelle H was extraordinary. But, what made the experience all the better was the fact that the film was exceptional on all levels!! If I had to sum up the film's plot -- I would say it was about the family secrets behind closed doors kept.

Having thought a great deal about this film, that old essential element of creativity kept ringing in my inner-ear: Tell what you know! ...Every single one of us has more stories to tell than could ever be translated to book, film or record in a lifetime. But, these stories are seldom put to use. They go away with us. ...our memories. ...and our lives. ...they remain hidden away.

And, some of the most amazing of stories are the simplest ones. -- The ones that happen every day. The ones we choose not to share because they are too personal and far too private to simply let out for the world to see, hear or read. This little film from France by Belgium filmmaker, Joachim Lafosse, is one such story.

Cleverly and almost statically filmed --- as if the camera (we, the viewers) are flies on walls. ...or flies flitting about potted plants. We flit about unnoticed as this simple -- yet, complex story unfolds. And, it unfolds in those most intimate of places. The places where life does unfold: the dining room, the living room, the bathroom and the heart. And, as viewers hiding behind the plants and in the shadows we feel the awkwardness of what we see. And, we know that what we see is often just inappropriate. However, we hesitate to toss too many stones at the characters because we all know that these inappropriate moments in ordinary lives are, in many ways, all too familiar to us. Perhaps not familiar in the sense that what we see has happened to us, but we all have secrets from our living rooms, bedrooms, bathrooms and dining rooms that we know were odd, incorrect, inappropriate and very private. Strange as it feels, there is something within this film to which we relate and fear.

There is musical score until the final moments of the movie -- Final moments which are emotionally raw, tragic and unforgettable. We fly away from this private story of family secrets which are grim, strange and unsettling. We fly away because that is exactly what the director's camera does. Or, is it that we run from the sick truth of the situation as it has unfolded? The lack of music makes the film all the more believable, but it is with the sudden jarring effect of violent music which arrives with the devastating final tracking shot packs quite a punch to the gut. I am not sure. I want to say that the music is taken from composer Carl Orff, but I don't really know.

The acting is amazing. I read a review which called Huppert's work in it as a "flawlessly calibrated performance" --- I wish I could remember where I read that and who wrote it. But, for me, that really sums of the film.

I suppose the film's title could be viewed as a reference to not only what has gone on in the lives of this family for which the parents failed to set any boundaries --- and the dire need for them. But, it could also refer to the heart of the central character -- the mother. ...who seems to be fighting with all her power to avoid being cut up into emotional and literal private property for her children, her lover, her ex-husband and her employer. Why is it that films like this are so rare? Truth is much stranger than fiction. And the weirdest things are happening right near you. ...Maybe even to you. Yet, artists seem to strain to make things horrific. Horror films and scary stories do not have to be about monsters hiding in the closet or knife wielding psychos.

Most horrors are committed in the seemingly most innocent of ways. And, without much notice. And, there is no need for flash editing, spooky lighting or 90 minutes worth of shrieking violins.

...all you need is the strength to tell the story -- no matter how unsettling. I think that is a major part of art.