April 27, 2023
FILM: EVERYTHING WENT FINE
DIRECTED BY: FRANCOIS OZON
STARRING: SOPHIE MARCEAU, ANDRE DUSSOLLIER, CHARLOTTE RAMPLING
RATING: 3 out of 4 stars
By Dan Pal
Everything Went Fine deals with a subject that some might find challenging: ending life by assisted suicide. The film is an adaptation of Emmanuele Bernheim’s memoir in which she is confronted by her father Andre’s decision to end his life after a stroke. In the early scenes, we see the 85-year old man in a very somber state. His facial features have been sadly affected by the stroke and he remains bedridden and crying in a hospital room. Emmanuele, played by Sophie Marceau, is sensitive towards her father’s situation even though flashbacks suggest he was verbally abusive to her when she was growing up. Her sister Pascale (Geraldine Pailhas) curiously plays less of a role in the decision-making process but is no less supportive. Their mother Claude, played by Charlotte Rampling, is also in ill health and has been battling depression for decades so she hasn’t much to do but sign a few legal papers.
If this premise sounds like a lot to swallow, well it is, for the most part. The scenes of Andre in his most vulnerable state are pretty heartbreaking to watch. Anyone who has ever cared for a dying parent knows how rough these circumstances can be. They’re also strong reminders of the fragility of life and one’s ability to maintain a sense of autonomy into their senior years. Yet, as dark as it is, the characters (and script) do offer occasional bits of humor to level off what could be an overly heavy experience for everyone involved (including viewers.)
The film visually emphasizes the various aids we use to keep ourselves and bodies from breaking down: contact lenses, ibuprofen, anti-depressants, etc. We try to keep ourselves feeling good but what happens when it appears we can’t be saved anymore? This is exactly the place Andre is in. He feels nothing can bring back the person he used to be. Yes, he can survive longer but as he says, “surviving is not living.” He wants to end his life with dignity. There are plenty of scenes which show the emotional affect this has on his daughters yet both continually remain very supportive of his decision.
As the film goes on we actually see Andre improving. He’s able to leave the hospital and communicate more clearly. He even has a happy “final” meal in a fancy restaurant. His drive though is knowing he’s taking control of his own end of life. The major roadblock is the legality of what he wants to do in France. Not far away is Switzerland with a different set of laws and a very warm organization to make his transition out of life a calm and relatively painless one.
I found all of this interesting although not as intriguing to view as last year’s documentary Last Flight Home which provided real footage of a prominent California man in his final weeks as he says goodbye to his loved ones and allows his body to shut down. I’d recommend Last Flight Home over Everything Went Fine simply because of its bare boned account of one man’s desire to die with dignity. Yes, Everything Went Fine, is based on a similar story but Last Flight Home takes us right there as it is happening.
Still, this is an admirable film with some great and very effective performances from the cast. It’s also a reminder that people have differing views about how they want to end their lives and it’s great to see those perspectives on screen allowing us to reflect on our own end of life desires.
Everything Went Fine opens this week at Landmark’s Century Centre Cinema in Chicago as well as the Landmark at the Glen in Glenview.
FILM: EVERYTHING WENT FINE
DIRECTED BY: FRANCOIS OZON
STARRING: SOPHIE MARCEAU, ANDRE DUSSOLLIER, CHARLOTTE RAMPLING
RATING: 3 out of 4 stars
By Dan Pal
Everything Went Fine deals with a subject that some might find challenging: ending life by assisted suicide. The film is an adaptation of Emmanuele Bernheim’s memoir in which she is confronted by her father Andre’s decision to end his life after a stroke. In the early scenes, we see the 85-year old man in a very somber state. His facial features have been sadly affected by the stroke and he remains bedridden and crying in a hospital room. Emmanuele, played by Sophie Marceau, is sensitive towards her father’s situation even though flashbacks suggest he was verbally abusive to her when she was growing up. Her sister Pascale (Geraldine Pailhas) curiously plays less of a role in the decision-making process but is no less supportive. Their mother Claude, played by Charlotte Rampling, is also in ill health and has been battling depression for decades so she hasn’t much to do but sign a few legal papers.
If this premise sounds like a lot to swallow, well it is, for the most part. The scenes of Andre in his most vulnerable state are pretty heartbreaking to watch. Anyone who has ever cared for a dying parent knows how rough these circumstances can be. They’re also strong reminders of the fragility of life and one’s ability to maintain a sense of autonomy into their senior years. Yet, as dark as it is, the characters (and script) do offer occasional bits of humor to level off what could be an overly heavy experience for everyone involved (including viewers.)
The film visually emphasizes the various aids we use to keep ourselves and bodies from breaking down: contact lenses, ibuprofen, anti-depressants, etc. We try to keep ourselves feeling good but what happens when it appears we can’t be saved anymore? This is exactly the place Andre is in. He feels nothing can bring back the person he used to be. Yes, he can survive longer but as he says, “surviving is not living.” He wants to end his life with dignity. There are plenty of scenes which show the emotional affect this has on his daughters yet both continually remain very supportive of his decision.
As the film goes on we actually see Andre improving. He’s able to leave the hospital and communicate more clearly. He even has a happy “final” meal in a fancy restaurant. His drive though is knowing he’s taking control of his own end of life. The major roadblock is the legality of what he wants to do in France. Not far away is Switzerland with a different set of laws and a very warm organization to make his transition out of life a calm and relatively painless one.
I found all of this interesting although not as intriguing to view as last year’s documentary Last Flight Home which provided real footage of a prominent California man in his final weeks as he says goodbye to his loved ones and allows his body to shut down. I’d recommend Last Flight Home over Everything Went Fine simply because of its bare boned account of one man’s desire to die with dignity. Yes, Everything Went Fine, is based on a similar story but Last Flight Home takes us right there as it is happening.
Still, this is an admirable film with some great and very effective performances from the cast. It’s also a reminder that people have differing views about how they want to end their lives and it’s great to see those perspectives on screen allowing us to reflect on our own end of life desires.
Everything Went Fine opens this week at Landmark’s Century Centre Cinema in Chicago as well as the Landmark at the Glen in Glenview.