An Ordinary Case

2024 [FRENCH]

Drama

IMDb Rating 6.6/10 10 1440 1.4K

Director

Daniel Auteuil Photo
Daniel Auteuil

Top cast

Daniel Auteuil Photo
Daniel Auteuil as Maître Jean Monier
Suliane Brahim Photo
Suliane Brahim as Maître Judith Goma
Sidse Babett Knudsen Photo
Sidse Babett Knudsen as Maître Annie Debret
Alice Belaïdi Photo
Alice Belaïdi as Avocate générale Adèle Houri

Movie Reviews

Reviewed by KatyR-55 6 / 10

Absorbing but puzzling

Daniel Auteil's film is well cast and well directed, but the narrativr stretches out the earlier part of the film and rushes too quickly through to the ending. A film has to have some tension, some mystery, but this was all left a little too late. Still, I stayed absorbed throughout, wondering where the film was heading. Knowing that it was a true story just added to the puzzlement. Was it a matter of casting? Did Daniel Auteil seem a little too urbane to be a small town lawyer? The promotion material said he was 'obsessed', but I didn't see any 'obsession'. The acting of both Daniel Auteil and Gregory Gadebois was excellent, top class, so I'd put the problem down to the script. Nevertheless it's quite a good film.
Reviewed by ulicknormanowen 6 / 10

A bit threadbare.

Reviewed by derhershultz 8 / 10

Masterpiece by Auteuil

"Le Fil", literally "The Thread" in English, was released under the title "An Ordinary Case"-which I think is a much more fitting name. It's a kind of legal drama: throughout the whole film, we follow the progress of a court case related to a murder. It's a tough challenge for the Lawyer, who has become isolated and withdrawn, giving us a chance to observe his reflections as the circumstances slowly unfold. The film offers a lingering observation of vague, blurry images that force us to focus on every detail that might reveal what really happened.We're looking for something mysterious, unusual, hidden from ordinary view-but there's nothing. There is only the striking use of cinematic light, detailed wide shots, and the music of Bach. The film's editing doesn't allow us to get bored. It's filled with the movement of life that expresses waiting and foreboding. A detailed wide shot shifts to an extreme close-up to convey the Lawyer's subtle emotions. It reflects his tendency to isolate himself when he feels vulnerable.It's almost the end. I could've vomited along with the lawyer - from the ordinariness of the case and the judge's decision. In the last four minutes, I got a punch to the mind. An ordinary case turned into the thread. It's rare for an ending to hit so hard.I remember "La Mer A Boire" the movie with Daniel Auteuil - it did the same to me.
Read more IMDb reviews

No comments yet

Be the first to leave a comment