"Felicità" is the title of a popular Italian song from the 1980s, whose translation is "Happiness". It is heard at a telltale time in Bruno Merle's comedy of the same title. Hence the question raised : can one be happy as a family if one is marginal and lives on expedients or bread and butter jobs, or if the father of the family has already been in prison and can go back to it at any time? The answer of director-scriptwriter Bruno Merle (his second film after "Héros" with Michaël Youn in an interesting rôle against type) is clearly yes. Oh, a happiness full of shadows, roughness, ups and downs but a happiness all the same, made possible despite the irregularity of family life only because love circulates between the three members. The other question of "Felicità" concerns the education of little Tommy. Can the already mentioned father who has done bad things against the law help his daughter to structure herself? The answer again is yes, if only because Tim comments on his misdeeds, showing her that in life one should not follow others like a sheep but try to determine at the moment of a crucial choice what will result from one's decision; one should simply never follow an inclination or let oneself go because of weakness of character or impulsiveness as he did.
The theme is made all the more interesting by Bruno Merle's mastery of storytelling (the unfolding of the action is so full of twists and turns that it is impossible to guess how it will develop). The helmer also knows how to choose his actors and direct them with a sure hand. The trio, at once accomplice and unnerving to the others, is very well chosen and interacts with finesse. Pio Marmaï, a sort of mix of Gable and Belmondo, Camille Rutherford, both mature and playful, Rita Merle (the director's daughter), alternately sulky and laughing, serious and dreamy, are entirely convincing. Add to this a good dose of offbeat humour (especially the cosmic jokes played on the others either by Tim or his girlfriend Chloé) that always puts the film on the side of the viewer's pleasure even if the sword of Damocles of drama hangs over the characters at all times.
With "Felicità" one laughs, trembles and thinks about it all at the same time. A winning cocktail in the end.
6 Reviews
A fun film
guzz6220 January 2021
Happiness (and not)
kosmasp27 February 2022
Felicita - a song title from the 80s and the title of this movie. Also having the song in the movie. But while I remember the song being happy go lucky all around, the movie has more drama to it and downsides too. Main focus being the kid - we see and hear many things from her perspective. Many still moments here (pacing wise you will have to have patience), moments even when I thought my sound was off - at least the first time, because there is total silence.
If you don't mind these things and the pacing I mentioned, you are in for a really good movie. Acting is mighty fine and we get to see a dysfunctional family at work (or rather on the road). For me personally there is something missing to push this over the top, but enough people seem to love it, so hopefully you can be one of them -also track down that song from the 80s - once you hear it in the movie, you likely will fall in love with it.
If you don't mind these things and the pacing I mentioned, you are in for a really good movie. Acting is mighty fine and we get to see a dysfunctional family at work (or rather on the road). For me personally there is something missing to push this over the top, but enough people seem to love it, so hopefully you can be one of them -also track down that song from the 80s - once you hear it in the movie, you likely will fall in love with it.
"Greatly Exceeds Expectations"
TrTm31611 March 2022
This was really enjoyable. So many movies that revolve around a kid are either simple, or absurd, or both. Felicita is just the opposite, full of deception and the unexpected, while staying very realistic. And although there is enough drama to keep you anxious to see what happens next, the humor sprinkled throughout keeps the viewing fun.
I've only seen about 150 French movies and TV series, and this writer/director and the lead actors were unknown to me. Director Bruno Merle's plot quickly pulls you into the lives of characters that you will care about, seamlessly merges multiple story arcs, and propels you through some twists and turns that will amaze. I was particularly surprised, especially in this genre of Euro-family comedy, by the excellent pacing. An unconventional use of sound struck me as just right for it's intended effect.
Rio Parmai and Camille Rutherford, as parents Tim and Chloe, presented multi-layered characterizations that worked incredibly well. And after watching them, you'll have a real appreciation for acting as the art of lying. Ten-year-old daughter Tommy is portrayed by the director's daughter Rita Merle, who does an acceptable job, although the film does not demand dynamic emoting from her.
And almost everyone will appreciate the tongue-in-cheek ending.
Well worth seeing!
I've only seen about 150 French movies and TV series, and this writer/director and the lead actors were unknown to me. Director Bruno Merle's plot quickly pulls you into the lives of characters that you will care about, seamlessly merges multiple story arcs, and propels you through some twists and turns that will amaze. I was particularly surprised, especially in this genre of Euro-family comedy, by the excellent pacing. An unconventional use of sound struck me as just right for it's intended effect.
Rio Parmai and Camille Rutherford, as parents Tim and Chloe, presented multi-layered characterizations that worked incredibly well. And after watching them, you'll have a real appreciation for acting as the art of lying. Ten-year-old daughter Tommy is portrayed by the director's daughter Rita Merle, who does an acceptable job, although the film does not demand dynamic emoting from her.
And almost everyone will appreciate the tongue-in-cheek ending.
Well worth seeing!
Sympathique
RokOlaf30 March 2021
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