Le confessionnal
In Quebec City, 1952, an umarried pregnant woman confesses her guilt to a priest under the confidentiality of the confessional. 37 years later, two brothers reunite to solve a cryptic family secret.
Member Reviews
Watch out BEHIND YOU - SadDadDancing
The poster for this would make a much better film, a giant floating purple head that constantly follows some idiot throughout his day, but she isn't looking at him but away at you and it causes this thing where you'll be walkin about and be all hey lady head why you floatin around and looking at meComplex Tantalizing Uneven - Stitch
Looking for dysfunctional with deviant overtones, cast in stark relief and wrapped in a doctrinal context? If so, you probably enjoyed LePage’s 1989 masterpiece (in my opinion) Jésus de Montréal. Then lower your expectations by a star or so and Le Confessional will be your bag. You’ll come away impressed with generally fine performances, distinctive cinematography and an innovative mystery. Did I mention uneven? Did I mention depressed?
Two very fine characterizations bookend the family dynamics, Pierre the natural son and Marc the adoptee. The search for the identity of Marc’s father drives the plot, and Lothaire Bluteau as Pierre is suitably at sea as the main protagonist. He’s most effective while depicting the alternate guises of ingenuous and worldly, which take a little getting used to. Whereas Patrick Goyette can suffice with depressed to suicidal for Marc’s tormented character, substantially less demanding in range. And in a minor role, I’d submit the mother/stripper dichotomy is portrayed superbly, I think by Suzanne Clément.
The flashbacks are juxtaposed with Hitchcock’s filming of ‘I Confess’ in 1952. LePage’s intent must have been to add a degree of complexity and priestly environment--which in my opinion doesn’t contribute much to what’s already a pretty intricate tale. And I’m sure that Kristen Scott Thomas as Alfred’s assistant doesn’t have this one on her résumé. Hence my suggestion of uneven. Granted you could garner the thrust of the plot from first watching I Confess, but it’s unnecessary. In fact I’d suggest inadvisable, if you enjoy unraveling mysteries.
But the cinematography! A four star sweep. The bathhouse sequence is particularly brilliant with its overhead perspective evoking a warren of wanting. Then we have the motel/bar setting, the epitome of diminished hope, the world rumbling by outside. Yet with Moose and the fish, to ground us a bit mid the angst. Great stuff.
But not for children. Or Happy Hour.Watch Hitchcock's "I Confess" first! - Tiah
I absolutely agree with Niki's review - watching Hitchcock's film "I Confess" first really enhances this film. "Le Confessionnal" not only includes scenes from its predecessor and pays homage to the story-line, but also much of it's plot revolves around Hitchcock's filming in Quebec city in the early '50's.
In "I Confess", the acting is good, but what really carries the film is the plot and the directing; there are some beautiful shots that cut between the past and the present that not only link the two stories, but add to the plot and information. Actually, there are a lot of really well composed shots throughout the film, perhaps another homage to Hitchcock.
I do wish the movie had left out some scenes from the end because they explain and re-explain what the viewer has already found out. I feel the near-ending scene with Hitchcock and the limo driver is not only redundant, but also makes the story feel less organic, less real, that it is a product of story-telling and not case of reality mirroring fiction.
Member Reviews
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Watch out BEHIND YOU - SadDadDancing
The poster for this would make a much better film, a giant floating purple head that constantly follows some idiot throughout his day, but she isn't looking at him but away at you and it causes this thing where you'll be walkin about and be all hey lady head ...Complex Tantalizing Uneven - Stitch
Looking for dysfunctional with deviant overtones, cast in stark relief and wrapped in a doctrinal context? If so, you probably enjoyed LePage’s 1989 masterpiece (in my opinion) Jésus de Montréal. Then lower your expectations by a star or so and Le Confessional ...Watch Hitchcock's "I Confess" first! - Tiah
I absolutely agree with Niki's review - watching Hitchcock's film "I Confess" first really enhances this film. "Le Confessionnal" not only includes scenes from its predecessor and pays homage to the story-line, but also much of it's plot revolves around Hitchcock's ...