Film Review
Taylan Barman's follow-up to his debut feature
Au-delà de Gibraltar (2001)
serves up a similarly idiosyncratic slice of life, one that eloquently
depicts the separation between three members of the same
(highly dysfunctional) family.
Not only have the three characters in the film lost the ability to
communicate with one another, they seem to inhabit completely different
worlds - the mother who is absorbed in her work as a police officer,
the father who wallows in depression after losing his job, and the
bored teenage son who hooks up with the local hoodlums for want of
something to do.
9mm is
a thoughtful and at times poignant portrayal of a disintegrating
society but it lacks the depth and focus it needs to be entirely
effective as a piece of drama or social commentary.
There is little to fault on the acting front - the three principles are
well-matched to their roles and give exemplary performances.
Morgan Marinne is particularly convincing as the moody,
self-destructive adolescent, a near relation of the role he previously
played in the Dardenne brothers'
Le Fils (2002), whilst Serge
Riaboukine and Anne Coesens reinforce the film's stark realism with
their sober portrayals of the boy's ill-matched parents. Whilst
9mm isn't as attention grabbing and
rewarding as Taylan Barman's first feature, it is sincere,
imaginatively crafted and provides a bleak meditation on the ennui,
frustrations and divisions that plague our society today.
© James Travers 2013
The above content is owned by frenchfilms.org and must not be copied.
Film Synopsis
A typical day in the life of a typical family in the north of
France. Nadine, the mother, is an officer in the anti-drugs squad
and is the first to leave the family home. Roger, the father,
mopes about the house, depressed and unemployed after an
accident. Laurent, the son, gives the impression of getting ready
for school, although he in fact intends to bunk off and spend the day
with his friends. The day starts like any other. But it
will prove to be a far from ordinary day...
© James Travers
The above content is owned by frenchfilms.org and must not be copied.