Filmmaker Andre Techine’s latest film, “The Girl on the Train”, is a mix of a controversial issue and complicated drama based on a true story that occurred in France in 2004 revolving on a French girl’s false accusations of an anti-Semitic attack.
Based on the play by Jean-Mari Besset, the film takes us into the story of jobless Jeanne (Emilie Dequenne)who lives in the suburbs of Paris with her widowed babysitter mom Louise (Catherin Deneuve). Lacking inspiration and life direction, Jeanne spends most of her time touring the banks of Seine on her trusted rollerblades. Eager to help her daughter, Louise turn to the Internet for ideas. With a strike of luck, she finds an ad posted by her old flame, famous lawyer and Jewish activist, Samuel Bleistein for an opening in his law firm for a secretarial position. With no experience to back her up and a high ego, Jeanne fails the interview miserably. Instead she decides to join her newfound love, budding wrestler Franck (Nicholas Duvauchelle) in looking after an electronics warehouse. Turns out the warehouse is only a front for the hidden drug smuggling going underneath. Unfortunately due to the drugs, Franck gets involved in a violent encounter where he is sentenced to serve jail for 10 years. Desperate to save her daughter, Louise calls friend Bleistein once more to help keep Jeanne out of trouble. However due to Jeanne’s disappointment and feeling of rejection with no means of expression, she decides to paint swastikas on her belly, slash her face with scissors, and creates a fictitious story of being attacked by neo-Nazis. Instantly the story makes headlines driving Jeanne into notoriety. Unfortunately her actions lead her mother to unfortunate shame.
The emotions of the film are deeply rooted to the warm and great performances delivered by the cast. At the centre of it all is Dequenne who believable portrays a young woman in search of her identity amidst a sea of frustration, disappointments, and regrets. Guiding her along the path is the sympathetic Deneuveas her mother. The genuine love and care from a mother emanates from her to suit her role perfectly. Lastly Michael Blanc who stars as the attorney depicts a commanding figure yet hides a compassionate heart beneath. All these three characters serve as strong foundations to which the film relies greatly on. Regulars to director Techine’s work, Deneuve and Blanc are the perfect choices to continue her directing prowess. Backing all the actors up is the great chemistry Techine shares with all of them as he lays out an arena for them to excel under his own style.
I admire how Techine skilfully narrates his storyline drawing viewers to believe in the first half that the film would focus on romance but then on the second half it takes a whole new turn and theme. Jeanne evolves into a confused woman desperate to escape from all. Despite this drastic change, the film manages to remain cohesive.
However this two-theme approach also works to their disadvantage for some viewers may easily get confused with the sudden change if the story is not totally understood. It may feel like watching two separate films as the two sections “Circumstances” and “Consequences” have entirely different vibes, themes, and feel that make them look disconnected. Whether these two parts will work as one or turn out as separate parts depends on the viewers opinions and understanding.
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