L'emploi du temps (2001)

User Rating:

7.4/10   

Director:

Laurent Cantet

Writers:

Robin Campillo (scenario)
Laurent Cantet (scenario)

Release Date:

14 November 2001 (France)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

Now he must decide between his life of lies...or the truth.

Plot:

An unemployed man finds his life sinking more and more into trouble as he hides his situation from his family and friends.

Plot Keywords:

Cell Phone | Deception | Family Relationships | Unemployment | Smuggling

Awards:

2 wins & 2 nominations

Cast

Aurélien Recoing	...	Vincent
Karin Viard	...	Muriel
Serge Livrozet	...	Jean-Michel
Jean-Pierre Mangeot	...	Father
Monique Mangeot	...	Mother
Nicolas Kalsch	...	Julien
Marie Cantet	...	Alice
Félix Cantet	...	Félix
Olivier Lejoubioux	...	Stan
Maxime Sassier	...	Nono
Elisabeth Joinet	...	Jeanne
Nigel Palmer	...	Jaffrey
Christophe Charles	...	Fred
Didier Perez	...	Philippe
Philippe Jouannet	...	Human resources director

Also Known As:

Time Out (UK) (USA)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for sensuality.

Runtime:

134 min

Country:

France

Language:

French

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Argentina:13 | Australia:PG | France:U | Netherlands:AL | Norway:A | Peru:14 | Spain:T | Sweden:11 | Switzerland:10 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:10 (canton of Vaud) | UK:PG | USA:PG-13 | Germany:12

Company:

Haut et Court

Trivia:

Inspired by a true story, that of Jean-Claude Romand. In reality, Romand went on to kill, on January 9, 1993, his wife, two children and both his parents.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Zomergasten: (#18.2)" (2005)

What it means to be human...or more specifically, a man

Has anybody ever set up a truck stop shot more magnificently?

This film is the full ten thing. Cast is spectacular, the photography superb, the unobtrusive music on the money, the story and its effects on the life of a family, affecting. Subtlety is a hallmark here. If you don't know the story line it must be even more powerful in a first viewing. As Fellini made at least two films that can be seen as defining the male of the Catholic/Italian species (8 1/2 & Amarcord) this magnificent film from France from a director I am not familiar with, defines "the problem of being male." I was fully involved and unable to complete a sentence for twenty minutes after the lights went up. But it is just not male identification at work here. It is the anguish and plight of the wife, magnificently played by Karen Viard, or the children who are as confused and anxious as any of us. The father, a very French man with a franc or euro, even redeems himself with love and compassion. And the "unsavory" seller of bogus goods who rescues our Vincent by offering employment, comes through swimmingly with compassion and understanding. I can not recommend this film enough. Please see it.