Nue propriété (2006)

User Rating:

7.0/10   

Director:

Joachim Lafosse

Writers:

Joachim Lafosse (writer)
François Pirot (writer)

Release Date:

24 January 2007 (Belgium)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

Plot Keywords:

Divorce | Kitchen | Breakfast | Fence | Ironing

Awards:

1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

Isabelle Huppert	...	Pascale
Jérémie Renier	...	Thierry
Yannick Renier	...	François
Kris Cuppens	...	Jan
Patrick Descamps	...	Luc
Raphaëlle Lubansu	...	Anne
Sabine Riche	...	Gerda
Dirk Tuypens	...	Dirk
Philippe Constant	...	Ami de Jan
Catherine Salée	...	Amie de Jan
Delphine Bibet	...	Karine
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Anton Biral	...	Gerda as a child
Jean-Benoît Ugeux	...	Ami de Thierry
Jonas Wertz	...	Enfant amis 2
Mathias Wertz	...	Enfant amis 1

Also Known As:

Private Property (International: English title)

Runtime:

Canada:105 min (Toronto International Film Festival) | USA:95 min | Argentina:95 min

Country:

Luxembourg | Belgium | France

Language:

French

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Italy:T | Netherlands:6 | Argentina:16

Filming Locations:

Chaumont-Gistoux, Wallonia, Belgium

Company:

Tarantula

intimate family drama

The French film, "Private Property," sets up a fierce battle of wills between a divorced mother and the two ne'er-do-well sons (fraternal twins) who still live with her. Pascale wants to sell the house and open up a bed-and-breakfast with her new boyfriend, but the young men, fearing the loss of the property that they believe should rightly go to them, attempt to block any efforts in that direction.

With intelligent direction by Joachim Lafosse and incisive writing by Lafosse and Francois Pirot, this low-keyed family drama explores the complexities inherent in filial, sibling and marital relationships. The confrontation scenes, many of which take place during meal times (come to think of it, I don't believe I've seen this much eating in a film since "Babette's Feast"), are sharply drawn and effectively staged. The acting is excellent across the board, particularly that of Isabelle Huppert, as the middle-aged woman determined to finally start living for herself, and Jeremy Renier, as the more belligerent and self-centered of her two sons. Yannick Renier, Jeremy's brother in real life, is also very good as the more passive of the twins.

Some viewers may feel let down and frustrated by the inconclusive ending, but I enjoyed the ambiguity of it. We have been made privy to just one brief episode in the lives of these people - then it's time for us to move on.