Le Huitième jour (1996)
Directed by Jaco Van Dormael

Film Review

In 1996, Belgian director Jaco van Dormael followed his success with Toto le héros with this emotional roller coaster of a film. Le Huitième jour confronts the prejudices which modern society has in abundance for disabled people in a light-hearted yet respectful manner.  It is a magical film, full of genuine sentiment and meaning, perhaps a little contrived in places, but nonetheless an entertaining and poignant piece of cinema.

The film stars Daniel Auteuil and Pascal Duquenne, a perfect pairing which could not have been surpassed, and it should come as little surprise that the two actors were jointly awarded the Best Actor award at Cannes in 1996.

Auteuil is a very popular French actor made famous by his stunning performances in such films as Jean de Florette, La Séparation and Un coeur en hiver .  His performance as the stressed out executive in Le Huitième jour is amongst his finest, intensely moving yet, at the same time, showing a comic brilliance rarely seen in serious actors. His co-star, the experimental Belgian actor Pascal Duquenne, is no less impressive.  Himself a Down syndrome sufferer, Duquenne is captivating, to the point that the spectator ultimately sees the world through his eyes, sharing his conflicting senses of rapture and frustration at what the world offers.

With some impressive photography, an incredible musical score and some truly remarkable visual stunts (including a singing mouse and an ant disappearing up a vacuum cleaner), the spectator never has time to get bored with what is on offer.  The film's ending (with its over-the-top Dennis Potter finale) is a little disappointing, showing a surprising lack of  imagination on the part of van Dormael.  Apart from that, this is a film which has much to commend it and, whilst perhaps lacking depth and maturity, it does leave a lasting impression.

Film Synopsis

Harry is a high-powered communications officer for a leading multinational bank.  He is comfortably off, well-respected and an incurable workaholic.  But then his wife leaves him, taking with her their two young daughters, and he is left contemplating the emptiness of his existence.  First he loses interest in his work, then he grows tired of living.  Harry is on the point of killing himself when Georges suddenly enters his life.  Georges is a young man who suffers from Downs syndrome.  He has just walked out of the care home where he has been living for the past four years after his mother died.  It is a pure coincidence that Georges and Harry should run into each other at this crucial moment in both their lives.

Harry is understandably at a loss as to what to do with Georges when they first meet.  Acting on instinct, he offers the stranger a place to stay at his home for a few days, during which time he hopes to come up with a more sensible long term solution.  At first, Harry finds it hard to tolerate the mentally handicapped waif he has taken under his wing, but gradually his feelings begin to soften.  The abundance of affection that Georges offers Harry is gladly received by the man who has been feeling a chronic lack of affection of late.  Within no time, an intense bond of friendship has developed between the two men, each fulfilling the other's emotional needs.  Perhaps meeting Georges is the best thing that ever happened to Harry...