I OFTEN wonder what the strangers in the cinema are thinking about a film where keeping the narrative threads untangled is a constant challenge and the emotional level threatens response options balanced between extremes of possible outcomes.

Jean-Marc Vellee’s film about families and relationships made me acutely aware of this with a screenplay that takes nothing for granted, describes unpredictable dramatic journeys by characters who overcome some risks, while other risks run their course.

For hairdresser Jacqueline, raising Laurent alone as if he were not afflicted with Down Syndrome is a 24/365 labour of absolute love, along a rocky road leading we cannot know where.

Antoine (Kevin Parent) divorced from Carole (Helen Florent) has custody of their two daughters and a trophy partner Rose (Evelyne Brochu) with whom he has built a relationship that would be perfect but for the older daughter’s resentment.

At school aged 7, Laurent and Vero become inseparable. Rose doesn’t want the world to know that she and Antoine plan to marry. Carole and Rose do not detest each other and Antoine while his mind is made up retains a real fondness for Carole whose life alone is beginning to lead her along dangerous pathways.

These permutations contain much for mature folk to ponder and test against their own situations and experiences. The acting is first-rate particularly Marin Gerrier as Laurent and Vanessa Paradis as Jacqueline. The film invites compassion for its characters without becoming mawkish or clichéd. While its structure is staccato, the narrative is comprehensible. Overall, it has genuine merit.

At Dendy