“It’s Only the End of the World (Juste La Fin du Monde)”, Another Stellar Film by Xavier Dolan
In the age of 27, filmmaker Xavier Dolan succeeded in snatching Grand Prize of the Jury at Cannes Film Festival 2016 with his feature film titled “It’s Only the End of the World (Juste La Fin du Monde)”. Previously, the critically acclaimed director has won his first award from the same institution in 2014 with a film called “Mommy”. “It’s Only the End of the World (Juste La Fin du Monde)” tells about the return of Louis (Gaspard Ulliel) to his family after finding out that he has not much time left in this world since his illness stroke. After going back home, Louis does not tell his family about his illness and wants to find the perfect timing to deliver the sad news. The film which is also starred by French actors, Lea Seydoux and Marion Cotillard chronicles the complicated family affair after they were apart for 12 years. Conflicts emerge and once again test the bond of a family which does not only revolve around Louis.
Xavier Dolan shows the dynamics between the casts in this film where each of them has strong characteristic. It often results in a clash and argumentation among the family members who express anger, frustration, and despise to one another. The casts use high tone voice while arguing and a good deal of shouting which is exercised in the dialogues which are all in French. The movie depicts how dysfunctional family looks like and how the term ‘blood is thicker than water’ sometimes does not apply in some cases. If you think that the film will develop into a heart warming story and a great reconciliation, sadly it will not happen. Somehow, Xavier Dolan makes the term ‘family’ into something distasteful, unfavorable and depressing. Maybe it is not the best film from Dolan, but in 2017 he promises to release another feature as his first English language film. The film titled “The Death and Life of John F. Donovan” casts top notch actors including Natalie Portman, Jessica Chastain, Michael Gambon and Susan Sarandon. Will it receive another Awards this year? We will see once it hits theater soon.
Reviewer: Bonifasius Eiji/Editor: Novita Widia
