By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 3 cats
Director: Jean-Pascal Hattu
Starring: Bruno Todeshini | Cyril Troley | Valerié Donzelli
Original language title: 7 Ans
Country: france
Year: 2007
Running time: 86
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0808462/
Bruce says: “Thematically speaking, 7 YEARS is sort of a French BREAKING THE WAVES in the way it plays with the notion of a surrogate sexual partner. Unlike BREAKING THE WAVES, Vincent (Bruno Todeshini) is prison bound, not bedridden. He and his wife Maïté (Valerié Donzelli) use the prison visitor’s area as a kissing booth and, from the looks of things, were it not for the guard a lot more than kissing would be going on. Every visiting day the women queue up outside the prison doors as they wait for their names to be called. When we first see Maïté she waits patiently as all the other women go inside. Her name has not been called and she is not allowed inside because her husband has been put in solitary confinement for bad behavior. He has quite a temper. Julien (Pablo De La Torre) is Vincent and Maïté’s young seven year old son who toys with matches. He is not happy about losing his father. The neighbor across the way, Julien’s babysitter, encourages Maïté to not be celibate for the next seven years.
“Jean (Cyril Troley), a prison guard, begins offering Maïté rides home and shortly thereafter detours are part of the itinerary. They park in country lanes and have awkward sex in the front seat. It doesn’t have the appearance of great physical satisfaction. Jean is smitten and wants to marry Maïté. This clandestine relationship is not one that can easily be kept under wraps. It is Julien who first is aware that Maïté has a boyfriend. Vincent soon realizes what is going on and the status quo is shattered. A strange emotional triangle takes shape.
“Were 7 YEARS a story of great passion, it would be more engaging. The actors are all very good in their roles. The two men are cast somewhat against type. Jean is much less masculine than Vincent and an unlikely surrogate. Vincent has an edge but is surprisingly sensitive. Jean-Pascal Hattu’s great attention to detail holds the viewer’s interest. This is an emerging talent – keep an eye out for his next picture. 3 cats
“7 YEARS screened at the 2007. New Directors/New Films festival co-sponsored by the Film Society of Lincoln Center and MOMA.”