Farewell To The Night - L'adieu à la nuit (French Movie Review)

7/10

When her grandson suddenly appears on her doorstep Muriel rejoices. She is a successful horse breeder and her life is beautiful in a simple way, her corner of the world as stunning as it is remote. But with the arrival of her grandson a dark suspicion creeps in. Will Muriel be able to take a stand against the imminent danger to her grandson? And what does it mean to truly save someone?

The grim reality of radicalised youngsters in France is showcased in an unlikely surrounding. The French countryside seems to be the furthest place from the raging Syrian war, but the evil spreads its tentacles everywhere. The radicalised Muslims are shown in unflinchingly brutal way although it’s never a secret that the kids who found themselves in this situation are out of their depth. Without prejudice the movie delivers both sides of the argument, showcasing how exactly one can become brainwashed in a modern unreliable world with no real values.

Catherine Deneuve is marvellous in the film, looking stunning at the age of 77. She looks naturally beautiful in the French village setting. Deneuve delivers the small but heartbreaking drama of Muriel with the reliable focus of an acting veteran, tinged with love and hope.

FAREWELL TO THE NIGHT may not give full justice to the complex subjects It touches upon, but it is a meaningful look at a family in crisis that mimics the crisis of the modern world.