Hirokazu Kore-eda’s latest film makes its UK debut on Curzon Home Cinema...
Director: Hirokazu Kore-eda
Starring: Catherine Deneuve, Juliette Binoche, Ethan Hawke
Running time: 106 minutes
If there is one thing that the film industry loves more than a remake, it is making films about filmmaking. On an ever-growing list that includes the likes of Federico Fellini’s 8 ½, Francois Truffaut’s Day for Night and Michel Hazanavicius’s The Artist, we can now add Hirokazu Kore-eda’s The Truth.
The film, which marks the first non-Japanese feature by Kore-eda, centres on Fabienne, an ageing star of French cinema who is about to publish her long-awaited memoirs. On the eve of its publication, her daughter - a screenwriter married to an actor who lives in the states - pays a visit.
In a casting coup, Catherine Deneuve plays Fabienne. Who better to play a star of French cinema, than well, an actual star of French cinema? Facing against Deneuve would be daunting for any actress but not for Juliette Binoche, who goes toe to toe with Deneuve. Meanwhile, Ethan Hawke rounds off the casting as son-in-law Hank.
The publication of Fabienne’s memoir opens up old wounds, particularly the anguished relationship between Fabienne and her daughter Lumir, who feels that she was neglected as a child for the sake of Fabienne’s career.
In a role that can easily stray into the hysterical, Binoche is nuanced and graceful
However, the real joys of the picture are the comedic moments. A particular scene that comes to mind is when Fabienne asks Lumir to write out an apology for Fabienne to say to her assistant, as if it were a script.
Deneuve is perfectly cast as Fabienne and is on fine and - dare I say - award-worthy form. While Binoche, in a role that can easily stray into the hysterical, plays Lumir with such nuance and grace. Ethan Hawke excels as Hank.
The Truth explores something that is not really explored in films about filmmaking, which is the nature of truth in acting. For in acting, it is the basis for how actors operate and deliver their performances in front of the camera. Yet, away from the lights of the film set, how do they deal with it when they are confronted with it in their everyday lives?
The Truth suggests that they use it as fuel to power their performances.
Did you know? In the film, Fabienne jokes that she was going to make a film with Alfred Hitchcock but he died before they could make it. In real life, Catherine Deneuve was considered for a lead role in the planned Hitchcock film The Short Night. Due to Hitchcock’s failing health, it was cancelled in 1979, a year before his death.
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