Arnaud Viard freely adapts the eponymous collection of short stories by Anna Gavalda.
The director creates a touching family from the book’s various characters. Both the good and bad emotions created by this assembly do not leave the audience indifferent.
Twelve stories brought together as one family. Arnaud Viard weaves connections between the twelve stories that make up Anna Gavalda’s bestseller to create just one. Devoted readers will take great pleasure in piecing together the characteristics of the protagonists to identify which characters from the book they stem from. Surrounding the grandmother (Aurore Clément, increasingly rare in cinema) are the four children. Jean-Pierre, the eldest and a surrogate father, Juliette, the forty-something about to become a mother, Mathieu, the introvert, and Margaux, the misunderstood photographer.
This adaptation boasts a top-notch cast led by Jean-Paul Rouve with a heartbreaking performance. Alice Taglioni and Camille Rowe contrast each other with the exact opposite of their emotional expressions. Full of control for the former, full of passion for the latter. Rising star of French cinema Benjamin Lavernhe moves with his shyness and insecurities that prevent him from interacting with the world. Lastly, there is Elsa Zylberstein, an actress in the film at the peak of her career but with a ruined personal life.
A family melodrama à la française
If there is one specialty in French cinema in recent years, it is indeed the family-oriented dramatic comedy. Served in every way, the dysfunctional family continues to attract the attention of filmmakers and producers. This micro-society is the perfect medium for addressing individual behavior. “Je voudrais que quelqu’un m’attende quelque part” doesn’t revolutionize the genre but honestly fulfills its duty.
The film is touching, occasionally overwhelming, and reminds the audience of their own family relationships. The unspoken truths, the disputes, and the tears are integral to these relationships just as much as the laughter and meaningful moments. Like in all families, some members annoy, act incomprehensibly, and react disproportionately. But when a tragedy strikes, quarrels are forgotten to make way for sacred unity.
While the film takes many shortcuts in developing the story, Arnaud Viard nevertheless hits the mark in expressing emotions. “Je voudrais que quelqu’un m’attende quelque part” reminds us that life is ever-changing. Without wasting time, we must ensure that our loved ones know the expression of our love.
Paul Guiannarvec’h
