In his famous "Cries and whispers" (1972) ,Ingmar Bergman showed a terminally-ill woman finding some consolation in the servant's arms whereas her sisters were frightened by sufferings and death.
Julia is a terminally-ill architect ;her milieu is wealthy but nobody around her seems to understand that she wants to die in her flat.Her brother ,a doctor has found a very nice place in the country;her daughter is a spoiled child ,par excellence the rich kid,who seems more interested in her next dress than the close passing of her mom;her parents (the marvelous Alexandra Stewart and Bernard Verley)are the only ones whose faces reflect love and compassion,but sadly ,their parts are underwritten ,the biggest flaw of the movie.
Marine has just been fired from the hospital where she worked as a nurse's aid.Julia hires her as a home help,for 1000 Euros a week...which is not much when you've got to take care of a dying person all day long and all night long;Marine is often grumpy ,but she has to cope with the brother/doctor's contempt(and jealousy) .Little by little,the viewer sides with her ,notably when she crumples the selfish daughter's letter;her self-denial,in the last sequence,is deeply moving.
Emmanuelle Béart shines in an unrewarding part;Hasfia Herzi matches her all the way .
