A Few Hours of Spring

WARNING: This review is hidden because it reveals the content of the film.
Click here to show this review. I went to see this film with some hesitation, as I'm not a big fan of Vincent Lindon because I often have trouble understanding what he's saying. But I'm glad I went, primarily because the acting is superb, particularly by Hélène Vincent. The subject matter also really resonated with me. Putting aside the mother's illness, how can someone cope with the return of a son who acts just like his father, whose passing years earlier brought her a huge sense of relief and freedom? And for the son, how can he avoid constantly feeling like a failure in the eyes of his mother, who sees any disruption as a threat to her stability?

This movie celebrates freedom of choice and encourages respect. Lindon and Vincent portray intricate characters with such raw, powerful performances that it's almost too much to bear because they nail it so perfectly! I absolutely loved this film.

This movie tackles very topical issues that hit us hard, such as the immense difficulty some people have in communicating without painful confrontations. The second issue is planned end-of-life. It's a grim piece, where any attempt by outsiders to break through the loneliness and near-total isolation of a woman and her son is bound to fail. Although the film leaves a bitter taste, it does prompt reflection on respecting the choices made by people facing a complete loss of control over their lives and physical and/or mental suffering they find unacceptable. Hélène Vincent delivers an admirable performance as an actress.

Many scenes in this film feel like filler, such as the interactions between the mother and son, or the son's encounter with a girl where they barely talk. The movie drags on for a long time...

The film reaches its peak with the "Pieta" scene at the very end. Such determination. Such anguish. Such surrender. A deeply moving film in its harshness, violence, and intensity. A must-see. Mb.