Le paradis des bêtes

All the features of a great film. Story Acting Music Suspense Atmosphère etc ..Inspite of excellent reviews, it is playing in 3 or 4 theaters in Paris. While the " films you should miss" of the week, are all over town. The two young child actors are a pleasure to watch.Thé performances of Muriel Robin and Geraldine Pailhas as well as Stefano Cassetti are to be noted as flawless and in sync with the creation of an atmosphere of fear and apprehension of the violence between man and wife The theme is something rarely seen and it regrettably exists as one of the major problems of our time. In addition,the scenes filmed in Switzerland and thé French Alps are wonderful and lighten up the sky and our visions of violence mixed with love. The original music beautifully and effectively blends in to create and underline the suspense and the audience apprehension of the ending I could go on and on but go see the movie.

"Le Paradis Des Bêtes " is a pet shop which Dominique runs with his sister Stephane .

Dominique is an immature man whose marriage to Cathy is on the rocks :violent rows become soon unbearable for the wife.

After leaving a beaten Cathy on the road,he takes his children to Switzerland in a posh ski resort ,where he tries to create a new paradise :they have their photograph taken with a giant "rabbit",they play Monopoly .Dominique is often pretending it's a big game (the chase ,with the police hot on their heels) or that in the street enemies are imaginary people (such as Cruella).But his sister ,an embittered spinster who has probably always dominated him,wants them back to reality :her cruelty knows no bounds then as she mistreats her niece,becoming the witch ,or Cruella ,in the fairy tale .The part of the mother is a little underwritten,but the director is more interested in the love/hate Relationship between the dad and the kids.

All in all,the whole "adventure" was perhaps only a ride on a merry-go -round (the last scene being symbolic,which echoes to the very first scene) , and when the ride is over ,you just have to let it go.

Like this? Try these.....

"Un week-end Sur Deux" Nicole Garcia,1990

"la Classe De Neige" Claude Miller,1998

"L'Adversaire" Nicole Garcia ,2002