FILM DRIVING MADELEINE
DIRECTED BY…Christian Carion (Joyeux Noel)
STARRING…Dany Boon, Line Renaud & Alice Isaaz
June 22nd in Cinema
“Driving Madeleine” is one of those films that will capture your heart that takes you on a journey with Charles taxi driver (Dany Boon), Madeleine (Line Renaud) & young Maz (Alice Isaaz). Directed by Christian Carion who cleverly casted the two main actors well as they are close friends and worked over the years together and on screen they fit perfectly for this endearing story where they impact each other lives!
The fact that most of the film takes place in the cab adds a unique and intimate element to the storytelling, it creates a sense of confinement and intimacy between the characters that is brought on by direction of Carion. The limited space in a location filmed in a car can be challenging but it sure has heightened focus on their interactions and dialogue, enabling the audience to witness their relationship develop in a more concentrated manner in this case to capture compelling performances, particularly from Line Renaud, who demonstrates the film’s strong acting talent. Renaud’s portrayal of the elderly woman, with her initial irritability gradually giving way to vulnerability and emotional openness, showcases her skill as an actress. Lin brings depth and authenticity to her character, making her performance standout.
The flashbacks scenes I found a bit lengthy but it embraces her memories and builds to record to what is final hours of her freedom and works in with some nice music tunes of the times in the fifties.
The film left me with some good messages of life as to Madeleine that even shared by Line Reanaud who says of her role I think she’s the most beautiful character I’ve ever played. She’s also the one that resembles me the most. You know, this year I’ll be 94, the same age as Madeleine, but that’s not all we have in common. Like her, I’ve gone through some hard things in my life. I grew up around women like her in my family. Madeleine is my mother, my grandmother and even my great-grandmother. I see them in my character’s tormented story.
I sure shed some tears as a to identify the times of what women went through and throughly enjoyed this film as it pulls you in emotionally and has lovely ending l feel.
Review Caroline Russo
