The poster was interesting: Philippe Garrel directs his three children - Louis, Léna and Esther Garrel - in a testamentary film. The character dimension of Le Grand Chariot is obvious, but what is the film, due to hit theatres on September 13, worth?
In this new feature, Philippe Garrel - recently accused by five actresses of sexual violence - focuses on the romantic and tragic destiny of a sibling group of puppeteers. Louis and his two sisters, Martha and Lena, are led by their father, who heads the troupe, and their grandmother, who makes the dolls. Together, they form a company and put on puppet shows. One day, during a performance, the father dies of a stroke, leaving the children alone.
From the outset, the film's heaviness overwhelms. Le Grand Chariot seems straight out of another generation. Highly scripted and theatrical, the siblings on screen and off never reveal the slightest hint of complicity, and the whole thing seems largely outdated. What's more, the theme of Le Grand Chariot won't necessarily delight, since it's largely about the end of cycles, whether driven by death, departures or disinterest. The whole thing is dark and first-degree, with the sense that Philippe Garrel is taking stock of his life and the legacy he intends to leave to his children, all of whom are in the film business. The metaphor is rather unsubtle, especially as the film's characters are pretty much all detestable. Nevertheless, don't let the pleasure of discovery deprive you if you're a fan of Philippe Garrel's character.
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