Bob Taylor Juste la fin du monde is a play that enjoyed a great deal of success in the 1990's while the AIDS epidemic was still raging. A mother and her two sons and daughter settle down to a long day of anger and recrimination as her eldest son Louis returns to the family home after a long absence. So long an absence that he doesn't recognize his sister-in-law Catherine, while his brother sulks and spouts insults towards everyone. The film version makes what I believe is a grave error in casting: Vincent Cassel, 50ish, plays Antoine who is the elder brother here. Since Cassel is almost 20 years older than Gaspard Ulliel (Louis), and since the first born son is usually the one favoured by his mother, it doesn't make much sense to have Antoine bitching about his brother's supposed advantages in life. Louis should be the one vehemently protesting the raw deal he got in life.If birth order is of no concern to you, I'd like to say that Nathalie Baye gives another superb performance as the mother. She's a gold standard now among French actresses. Lea Seydoux does well as the confused, lonely Suzanne. Cassel and Ulliel do the best they can with their parts.

anyse1 I grew up in a family like that. There was no room for each other and, when striving to make things go well for all, everything was a tattered mess. That is what this family is. We tell secrets to the people with whom we are close: I will never tell my family mine, much less that I am dying! He got it right! I can see people with various mental issues seeing this and, well, it will trigger a lot of things that will not be good for them. Maybe a "trigger" warning for them would be worthwhile . . . . .

Tom Dooley This is the latest film from Xavier Dolan who continues to surprise with his very human stories. This time he has gone for an 'A list' of French talent. The story is from the stage play of the same name and is about Louis (Gaspard Ulliel 'A Very Long Engagement') who is a successful writer; he has not been home for twelve years and has now only returned to announce that he is dying – but he does not know how to do it.On arrival at his home he is met by his family, mother, older brother and much younger sister. His brother, Antoine, played by Vincent Cassel is a man who seems to have got more than his fair share of life's anger but has married a shy creature – Catherine – played by Marion Cotillard in a way that she owns the role, it is completely convincing. The whole day is played out in linear format as the characters stumble into each other always seeming to be on the edge of imploding.This is not an easy to watch movie as the tension can be uncomfortable but that makes it a better film for it. This is real 'Arthouse' in that it takes a different path to many that have gone before and is becoming a welcomed trademark of Xavier Dolan.If you liked any of his previous films then you are probably already sold on this, if you are new to him then switch off any expectations and let this film seep into your psyche, it will be worth the effort.

Raven-1969 Sometimes people are farther away sitting on the couch across from you than they are in a remote forest or city of the world. This is the case for Louis who, after twelve years hidden away in distant places, is retracing steps and returning home to tell his mother and siblings that he is near death. The words do not come easily. There are minefields of unhealed wounds, distorted memories, grudges and bitterness. Emotional currents pull Louis in different directions. The passions of his relatives, both aggressive and passive, are more than he was prepared for. Yet Louis is determined to speak honestly, find forgiveness and become master of his own life. He is like a wild bird inside a building; flying but bewildered and not free.The magic of this film is in the close-ups and the finely paced and nuanced scenes. They are masterfully done. The actors express the emotions of the characters so well in their eyes and faces. Sometimes at critical moments no words are expressed and yet the impact of this silence is immense. Music eases the transitions between scenes and emotions. Arguments pass like storms, replaced by calm. I loved the unexpected and moving conclusion. The film is based on a play and the scenes do not expand very far from one house.Before the film began, a professor provided an introduction for the audience. He babbled on for about ten minutes, was walking off the stage and it was left to a New Yorker to remind everyone that this was the winner of the Grand Prix at Cannes. "Hello!" said the New Yorker "it won the Grand Prix." Seen at the Miami International Film Festival.