Saw this on a flight back from Africa, I always get drawn to the French movies I have missed, not disappointed.
The main actress Diane Rouxel plays an incredibly fine line between her emotions, her physical abilities and weaknesses and her random career choices in the army. Her acting at the side of seasoned actor Lambert Wilson is really amazing.
It was a pleasure to see again the very cold environment of the Ecole Navale in Lanveoc where I spent some time, the setting is like another character in the movie as it always feels too big for the little humans living in it. I thought a bit less of the commando training part that was a far cry from the very tough reality of it... and whatever your position is in the navy you will always spend a bit of time on the ships which is not the case and could have added another dimension to the movie.
If you manage to find this movie, make sure you watch it!
4 Reviews
Woman in search of herself joins the Navy -- un-Hollywood style
Partnerfrankreich22 June 2018
Warning: Spoilers
The premise of the film has all the potential to be nothing more than a French version of "Private Benjamin" or "GI Jane" (young woman in search of her destiny finds it in the armed forces), but it is better than that. In the Hollywood style film the woman would be some maladjusted schnook who would, in the course of the film, acquire maturity and guts and, in a ringing tribute to feminism, emerge at the end as a valiant heroine who saves the day and outdoes the men who have been harassing her throughout the film.
But thankfully, it isn't -- this is a much subtler film. The woman, while seeking her way, is far from a schnook, even at the outset (she is university-trained and has masters' degrees in two foreign languages) and when we first meet her she is not a raw recruit undergoing basic training but is already a lieutenant, albeit one chained to a desk jockey position freshly designated as an assistant to the head of the training academy. But although she has poise and bearing, she is looking for more than that -- she wants to apply for commando training, something her boss will not let her do, and not only for professional reasons (it's not much of a spoiler to say that it becomes clear pretty quickly that both he and she are struggling with nascent romantic feelings for each other).
How this all develops is the subject of the film. It is all done with sophisticated understatement and never descends into Hollywood-type bathos. The training scenes are realistic, the love scenes (especially one at the beginning of the film) are erotic but never pornographic and the film charts the progress of the heroine, both emotionally and militarily, naturally and without the over dramatization or the caricature you might have feared.
I saw the film in France and I hope that it makes it to the English-speaking world.
But thankfully, it isn't -- this is a much subtler film. The woman, while seeking her way, is far from a schnook, even at the outset (she is university-trained and has masters' degrees in two foreign languages) and when we first meet her she is not a raw recruit undergoing basic training but is already a lieutenant, albeit one chained to a desk jockey position freshly designated as an assistant to the head of the training academy. But although she has poise and bearing, she is looking for more than that -- she wants to apply for commando training, something her boss will not let her do, and not only for professional reasons (it's not much of a spoiler to say that it becomes clear pretty quickly that both he and she are struggling with nascent romantic feelings for each other).
How this all develops is the subject of the film. It is all done with sophisticated understatement and never descends into Hollywood-type bathos. The training scenes are realistic, the love scenes (especially one at the beginning of the film) are erotic but never pornographic and the film charts the progress of the heroine, both emotionally and militarily, naturally and without the over dramatization or the caricature you might have feared.
I saw the film in France and I hope that it makes it to the English-speaking world.
It's a man's, man's world
searchanddestroy-16 June 2018
I first thought about Ridley Scott's GI JANE, starring Demi Moore, when I watched this film. The story of a young woman, a petty officer, who intends to belong to the Special Forces in the Marine Corps. A simple scheme and subject, I admit, but very well done and especially played. This little actress is terrific and the relationship between her and Lambert Wilson is awesome. Don't miss the ending, a pure jewel.
Subtle, intense, full of innuendo, not just another variation around a stereotype!
pxnier1 February 2021
The main actors are impeccable in the rendition of their respective characters. While we would expect it from a star of Lambert Wilson's caliber, Diane Rouxel is extremely credible in her portraying of the successful student with many diplomas and having lost sight of what she should be doing next.
I am older, so the French army was different then. Many of those who chose to embrace a career in it, did it for lack of better opportunities. And at the time, females were restricted to office work, if ever.
I found the depiction of the family relationship true and authentic. For having experienced it on first hand and observed and discussed it with the other recruits. Most of our parents were reluctant to have us chose the army over something "better". Most of us gave up on our sentimental lives quickly after we started training. Somehow, anything outside of the Army bubble became irrelevant.
Laure becomes entangled into her own emotions and feelings, and her motivation to get acceptance grows exponentially as the movie progresses.
Commander Rivière completely incarnates the gruff officer, ironclad and intransigent with everybody, himself included. Trying to hide some emotions that he perceives as weaknesses. We are surprised by his actions all the way to the end.
Obviously, not everything is perfect. This a budget limited movie. The "commando" training is much more demanding than what we are led to believe. Diane Rouxel's body hasn't got the muscles necessary to even attempt it. Mentally, I have seen ladies with the same "go getting" and more than male counterparts. However, part of being in a commando implies that you carry weapons and ammunition with you. This makes it a physical impossibility for someone who is said to weight only 120 lbs. Anyone of you who did the military knows how heavy ammunition is. Once it ends in your backpack, you have to take it with you, as with your main and reserve weapon. Even men with strong built struggle.
The fraternity that military people embrace is also shown, and the aggressive and competitive spirit there is when you do specialty training. This is something I lived to.
I recommend this movie. It does not let down and you get surprised to discover it is a little unknown gem in its own domain.
I am older, so the French army was different then. Many of those who chose to embrace a career in it, did it for lack of better opportunities. And at the time, females were restricted to office work, if ever.
I found the depiction of the family relationship true and authentic. For having experienced it on first hand and observed and discussed it with the other recruits. Most of our parents were reluctant to have us chose the army over something "better". Most of us gave up on our sentimental lives quickly after we started training. Somehow, anything outside of the Army bubble became irrelevant.
Laure becomes entangled into her own emotions and feelings, and her motivation to get acceptance grows exponentially as the movie progresses.
Commander Rivière completely incarnates the gruff officer, ironclad and intransigent with everybody, himself included. Trying to hide some emotions that he perceives as weaknesses. We are surprised by his actions all the way to the end.
Obviously, not everything is perfect. This a budget limited movie. The "commando" training is much more demanding than what we are led to believe. Diane Rouxel's body hasn't got the muscles necessary to even attempt it. Mentally, I have seen ladies with the same "go getting" and more than male counterparts. However, part of being in a commando implies that you carry weapons and ammunition with you. This makes it a physical impossibility for someone who is said to weight only 120 lbs. Anyone of you who did the military knows how heavy ammunition is. Once it ends in your backpack, you have to take it with you, as with your main and reserve weapon. Even men with strong built struggle.
The fraternity that military people embrace is also shown, and the aggressive and competitive spirit there is when you do specialty training. This is something I lived to.
I recommend this movie. It does not let down and you get surprised to discover it is a little unknown gem in its own domain.
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