By pure chance I stumbled across a DVD of Papa - a film I'd never heard of - within two days of watching Short Term 12 in the cinema, or, to put it another way, I was able to see two outstanding 'small' films in the space of half a week. Both have a 'documentary' feel, little or no plot and 'other dimension' acting. I found Papa reminiscent of 'The Swimmer' inasmuch as it is only at the very end that things fall into place. I have known and admired Alain Chabat as writer, director, and actor, for several years but exclusively in either light or out-and-out comedy roles whilst here he displays a much wider range which allows him to exploit his gifts for light comedy and yet also show us the melancholy just below the surface. Here's what happens: A man (Chabat) is driving from an unseen A to an unknown B. He is accompanied by a boy (Martin Combes) of around ten. Chabat beguiles the journey with a flow of light banter, often speaking as if the boy were an adult. They buy gas, check into a hotel (where Chabat identifies the boy as his son), check in for at least one night with a family who may or may not be related - and check right out again when the woman asks Chabat not to mar the forthcoming dinner by speaking about a delicate subject. It seems that Chabat had another son who died tragically and he is offended when asked not to speak of it and maintains that these things happen. Having walked out they now need to find somewhere to spend the night but all the hotels/motels are full so they wind up sleeping in the car. The next morning a woman wakes Chabat by tapping on the car window. She asks for a lift and he obliges. This, of course, gives him an excuse to tell at least some of the back story; how the family were picnicking and his son drowned; he explains further that he is a doctor and was still unable to save his son's life. The woman leaves them and they continue driving. During all this time there has been no mention of Chabat's wife. Eventually they drive into the yard of a house. a woman is waiting to greet them, the boy runs to her, shouting 'mummy'. She and Chabat embrace warmly. Fin. Doesn't sound like much, I agree, but it is really outstanding. Trust me.
Review of Papa
