Rien à perdre

This first narrative feature from veteran documentarian Delphine Deloget fires on all 8 cylinders. Clearly the voice and hand of a mature storyteller.

The highest compliment I can pay the film is that while I enjoyed seeing it in competition at Cannes, I enjoyed it even more viewing it a second time at the NYC premiere.

We're sure to see more of this French writer/director's socially conscious narrative work in the future.

Virginie Efira's performance here combines power and nuance and even draws a bit from her beginnings in comedy. The quiet whispers exchanged between her and her youngest son, provide authentic intimate moments rarely seen on screen.

Interestingly, the director discussed her choice to not include non-diagetic music in the soundtrack leaving the actors words to convey the emotion, clearly informed by her documentary aesthetic.