Dir: Yann Samuell | France, Drama 113′
The idea of a springtime stroll through the meadows of Southern France sounds like a delightful romp. But maybe not with a teenage delinquent as in this new drama from Yann Samuell.
Redemption through the power of nature is a popular theme and one that works well here, but not necessarily for the audience or the woman in question. Fred (Alexandra Lamy) is a likeable teacher who loses her job after slapping a rowdy pupil, and decides on a change of career after her husband ends their relationship.
Despite these hefty emotional setbacks Fred looks on the bright side opting instead for another difficult endeavour – a ‘care in the community’ job mentoring an objectionable boy called Adam (Julien Le Berre) with violent anger issues. You wonder why this woman choses such a difficult path in life. Their trudge through the well known route from Le Puy en Velay to Santiago de Compostela via Cahors is an uphill struggle – quite literally.
Fred keeps smiling throughout come rain or shine – it really is a penance and you just keep wondering why she puts up with Adam’s tedious outbursts without giving him a clip round the ear – because he certainly deserves it, and she’s not clinically trained, so this is quite a responsibility especially when Adam goes missing, and breaks into a private animal reserve disturbing a guard dog in the process.
Adam is difficult from start to finish, except during a brief dalliance with a young amputee (Maelle Vidou), but Le Berre never really brings out the humanity in his character so we continue to dislike him. When Adam and Fred chance upon a monastery he finds an outlet for his pain.
Fred is a saint throughout in a cheerful performance from Alexandra Lamy, although neither character is really explored in depth, Samuell keeping the tone upbeat, and that serves the film well. Compostelle is about the journey rather than the characters themselves. If you’ve always fancied the idea of the pilgrimage route to Santiago this upbeat social drama offers a sneak preview with its fabulous widescreen photography and some magnificent churches. Samuell helpfully signposts the locations with inter-titles in a touch that is always welcome and has sadly fallen out of use. The scenery almost makes up for it but don’t expect a peaceful, therapeutic ride through natural countryside.
NOW ON RELEASE IN FRANCE