C'est le monde à l'envers! directed by Nicolas Vanier (L'École buissonnière, Donne-moi des ailes), is a comedy-drama with a refreshingly contemporary take on ecological and societal issues. Boosted by performances from Michaël Youn (Divorce Club) and Eric Elmosnino(Gainsbourg, vie héroïque), the film succeeds in combining humor, emotion and reflection, offering an entertaining and meaningful experience, albeit sometimes simplistic in its execution.
C'est le monde à l'envers ! will be shown in theaters from October 16, 2024.
Synopsis: It's a time of crisis, when everything grinds to a halt: no water, no electricity, no network... Parisian businessman Stanislas loses everything, including his fortune. Stanislas, who hates the countryside, is forced to take refuge with his wife and son on one of the farms he had acquired for speculative purposes. But when he arrives, he comes face to face with Patrick and his family, farmers who have no intention of leaving the farm... In this chaotic atmosphere where everything is turned upside down, will our two opposing families manage to live together to survive and perhaps rebuild a new world together?
The film tells the story of Stanislas(Michaël Youn), an arrogant Parisian trader whose life is turned upside down by an economic and ecological crisis. Forced to take refuge in the countryside, he must cohabit with Patrick(Éric Elmosnino), a gruff farmer whose farm he ironically bought just before the catastrophe. This unlikely situation creates both funny and poignant moments, while tackling profound questions: our relationship with nature, the consequences of human greed and resilience in the face of crisis.
Vanier, true to his style and ecological concerns, includes in this comedy a strong message about the importance of returning to simple values, environmentally-friendly farming and a reconnection with nature. The film is an " ode to nature and humanity ", underlining that, despite the obstacles, other paths are possible.
One of the most successful aspects of the film is without doubt the originality of the script, which manages to seamlessly blend comedy and ecological reflection. The initial premise, though slightly absurd, opens the door to many comic situations, while remaining relevant to current issues.
The duo of Michaël Youn and Éric Elmosnino works perfectly. Youn, usually associated with more eccentric roles, surprises with his nuanced performance, managing to make his character touching despite his initial cynicism. Elmosnino, for his part, perfectly embodies the gruff but kind-hearted farmer, delivering such memorably funny lines as: "When someone's dead, they say they're gone! When he's gone, how do you know if he's dead? This dynamic between the two characters is the driving force behind the film, making their respective evolutions credible and engaging.
Visually, Nicolas Vanier has mastered his subject, notably with magnificent shots of the French countryside, which support the film's ecological message. The beauty of the rural landscapes contrasts skillfully with the arrogance of the urban world, marking a necessary return to basics for the characters.
However, not everything in C'est le monde à l'envers is perfect. In particular, the film's ecological message lacks subtlety, sometimes descending into caricature. The character of Stanislas, particularly in his transformation from selfish trader to repentant ecologist, lacks depth. His evolution, though pleasant to follow, remains fairly predictable.
The film is sometimes reminiscent of Les Choses Simples (2023), another comedy-drama with similar themes of degrowth and reconnection with nature. This comparison doesn't always work in Vanier's favor, with some critics accusing C'est le monde à l'envers of lacking the same narrative finesse. While Les Choses Simples shone with a certain restraint, here, the dialogue and situations sometimes seem overdone, reducing the emotional impact.
All in all, C'est le monde à l'envers is an entertaining film that, while not taking itself too seriously, manages to tackle serious subjects such as ecology and the absurdity of our hyper-connected world. It's a tender comedy that, with its moments of humor and lightness, manages to touch viewers while prompting them to reflect. Despite a few simplifications in the script, the film retains an optimism and humanity that make it accessible to a wide audience. It will appeal to those who appreciate films with an environmental message, but without looking for deep subtlety.
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