An Ordinary Case

I learned to love Daniel Auteuil starting with Jean de Florette. So I was quite keen to see this one.

I see here 6 reviews and I deduct from it that this film has not really created something that you'd never forget.

4 of us all over 70 (and the rest for some) had problems to keep awake during its early part.

However I did derive some interest from it as it went.

But something annoyed me a little about it. The writen information of it seemed to differ as they gave different versions like of what was to come. I thought the main character was a defence layer who felt bad having had a case where he let a guilty client go free, so became a prosecutor, but later a friend of his got him to take his defence... The other annoying thing about it is that It supposes to be based on a true event. But I could not find any information about this true event. I would have appreciated to see how, if any, liberty had been taken with the fiction. I can't see the point of telling us that it's based on true event if we can not find anything about the real story.

I was also a littel amuse to read some study about it that mentioned "Le Fils" This spelling becomes 'The son' because it is a quirk of the language. The S is silent so it sounds just like The fil when it is pronounced but Le Fils is not the thread!

A lawyer who keeps to himself, Daniel Auteuil, takes on a case that touches him personally: Grégory Gadebois, who is accused of killing his wife. He becomes convinced of his client's innocence and does everything he can to get him acquitted. His wife was an alcoholic. The circumstances surrounding her death are unclear and work in Daniel Auteuil's favor. We are in a social milieu of simple, poor people. This simplicity makes him likable, despite a set of elements that do not explicitly accuse him, but could. What will the jury decide, and is he guilty? This is the question everyone asks throughout the film.

The film consists of scenes in court and the lawyer's journey as he conducts his own investigation, meeting all the people who gravitated around Grégory Gadedois.

The script manages the suspense perfectly. Director Daniel Auteuil chooses to tell the story from the lawyer's point of view, which means that the viewer also tries to form an opinion as information is gathered. The jury will make a decision. And an epilogue will give us explanations we never suspected. The film is inspired by real events, as we are told from the outset. Reality can exceed fiction, as we know.

"Le Fil", literally "The Thread" in English, was released under the title "An Ordinary Case"-which I think is a much more fitting name. It's a kind of legal drama: throughout the whole film, we follow the progress of a court case related to a murder. It's a tough challenge for the Lawyer, who has become isolated and withdrawn, giving us a chance to observe his reflections as the circumstances slowly unfold. The film offers a lingering observation of vague, blurry images that force us to focus on every detail that might reveal what really happened.

We're looking for something mysterious, unusual, hidden from ordinary view-but there's nothing. There is only the striking use of cinematic light, detailed wide shots, and the music of Bach. The film's editing doesn't allow us to get bored. It's filled with the movement of life that expresses waiting and foreboding. A detailed wide shot shifts to an extreme close-up to convey the Lawyer's subtle emotions. It reflects his tendency to isolate himself when he feels vulnerable.

It's almost the end. I could've vomited along with the lawyer - from the ordinariness of the case and the judge's decision. In the last four minutes, I got a punch to the mind. An ordinary case turned into the thread. It's rare for an ending to hit so hard.

I remember "La Mer A Boire" the movie with Daniel Auteuil - it did the same to me.

An Ordinary Case (2024), directed by Daniel Auteuil, is a compelling legal drama that explores the complexities of a murder trial where a man is accused of killing his wife. His lawyer must defend him against all odds, including the personal demons that seem to complicate the case even further. The film is deeply engaging, weaving a narrative that holds the audience's attention, especially with its foundation in real events, adding an extra layer of intrigue.

Auteuil, who also stars in the film, gives a strong performance as the defense lawyer, balancing the tension of the courtroom drama with the personal conflicts of his character. His portrayal is nuanced and absorbing, capturing the internal struggle of a man who is forced to confront his own doubts as he defends his client. The film also features strong performances from Grégory Gadebois and Sidse Babett Knudsen, who bring depth to their roles, though the story often feels more centered on Auteuil's character, limiting their potential.

The narrative is driven by the tension of the courtroom, and while the film offers some well-crafted moments of suspense, it often falls short of reaching the emotional or dramatic heights it could have. The story, though powerful, sometimes feels restrained, and despite its heavy subject matter, the pacing occasionally stalls. There are a few scenes that feel more like dramatic flourishes than essential plot points, detracting from the overall flow.

Visually, the film is clean and effective, with a straightforward approach that reflects the restrained nature of the narrative. The cinematography, while competent, doesn't do much to elevate the film beyond its familiar courtroom setting. The tone is steady, but the film lacks the emotional intensity or complexity that would have made it a truly memorable experience.

While An Ordinary Case is a solid and engaging film, its execution doesn't fully tap into the potential of its powerful premise. The performances, especially Auteuil's, are strong, but the film never quite reaches the level of intensity or drama it could have. Still, it's a well-crafted legal drama worth watching, though not one that will leave a lasting, profound impact.

Rating: 7/10. A gripping legal drama with strong performances and an interesting premise, but it misses the opportunity to push the emotional and narrative boundaries further.

Daniel Auteil's film is well cast and well directed, but the narrativr stretches out the earlier part of the film and rushes too quickly through to the ending. A film has to have some tension, some mystery, but this was all left a little too late. Still, I stayed absorbed throughout, wondering where the film was heading. Knowing that it was a true story just added to the puzzlement. Was it a matter of casting? Did Daniel Auteil seem a little too urbane to be a small town lawyer? The promotion material said he was 'obsessed', but I didn't see any 'obsession'. The acting of both Daniel Auteil and Gregory Gadebois was excellent, top class, so I'd put the problem down to the script. Nevertheless it's quite a good film.