Starring: Kristin Scott Thomas, Elsa Zylberstein
Director: Philippe Claudel
Category: Foreign
Rated: PG-13
Lea (Elsa Zylberstein) and Juliette (Kristin Scott Thomas) are sisters. The film begins with Lea, the younger sister by fifteen years, picking Juliette up at the airport. We soon realize that the two sisters are almost complete strangers to each other. Juliette has just been released from prison after serving a long sentence. Lea was still a teenager when Juliette, a doctor, was sent off to prison. Lea contacted Juliette when she was released and suggested that Juliette come to live with her. Juliette had no particular desire to see her sister again. Luc (Serge Hazanavicius), Lea’s husband, is quite reserved, almost hostile, about Juliette’s presence under their roof. Luc and Lea have two adopted Vietnamese daughters, who are 8 and 3 years old. Luc’s father, Papy Paul (Jean-Claude Arnaud) also lives in the house. He’s a charming old man who spends all of his time reading since a stroke deprived him of the power of speech. Life together isn’t easy to begin with. Juliette has to relearn certain basics. The world has moved on and she often seems confused. (Publisher)
Summary of critic reviews:
New York Post: *** (out of four)
Rolling Stone: ***1/2 (out of four)
USA Today: *** (out of four)
Overall: *** (out of four)
Tags: elsa zylberstein, kristin scott thomas, philippe claudel, serge hazanavicius