Despite the undeniable potential and complexity of feelings of the two main characters, Stéphane Brise seems to have focused more on the (successful) visual offerings, even though the dialogue itself represents an important – if not essential – element of this diner season of his. In competition at the 80th Venice Film Festival.
The past comes back
Quite inconsistent director Stéphane Brize. If, indeed, throughout his career, the French film director did not always live up to the expectations of the public and critics, often allowing himself to be carried away by dangerous rhetoric, then at the 2021 Venice Film Festival he pleasantly surprised everyone with his presence. in the competition Another worldthe third chapter of the trilogy was subsequently devoted to the world of work Law of the market (2015)e At war (2018). So his return to the Lido with Snackcompeting for the Golden Lion on80To Venice Film Festival, initially raised hopes for a pleasant surprise on the penultimate day of the festival. Could this be real glory? He said quickly.
Unexpected meetings
Thus the story of Mathieu (played by Guillaume Canet), a successful actor experiencing a professional crisis, who, in order to spend a few days in a relaxed state, books a trip to a spa in a small seaside town in western France. She currently lives here with her husband and teenage daughter Alice (Alba Rohrwacher), his former flame, for whom things did not end well due to his many fears. The latter, however, having learned of his presence in the city, decides to contact him and they finally have the opportunity to meet again.
In a place frozen in time
What strikes you most when watching Snack there is undoubtedly exceptional care taken in the images, enhanced by the sets themselves (which almost give the impression of being in some place suspended in time) and very memorable moments; unforgettable, like a quiet walk on the beach at sunset, a small wedding party or a conversation sitting on the rocks. Stéphane Brise certainly knows how to make the most of all these elements, giving the small seaside town almost a touch of non-place. A non-place where, in order to restore contact with yourself and resolve some issues from the past, you need to stop. Even if the stay can sometimes be quite painful.
Words are important
Mathieu AND Alice they analyze their past from every possible angle. But at the same time, their dialogue always seems “superficial”, and sometimes even banal, especially if you remember the numerous other feature films of this genre, now rightfully consigned to history (the works of Eric Rohmer and Richard Linklater, just to give a couple of similar examples on the spot, they should tell us something about this). In fact, despite the undeniable potential and complexity of the feelings of the two main characters, Brize seemed to focus more on the visual offerings, despite the fact that the dialogue itself represents an important, if not essential, element of his Snack.
Slips
Let’s agree: this feature-length film is absolutely not a deplorable film. And yet, as often happens in the work of the director from Rennes, there are probably a few missteps here and there that could cause the whole work to lose a few points. Starting with a certain break in approach, which initially features some funny comic skits (the moment when Mathieu “argues” with the coffee machine in his hotel room is definitely hilarious), the moment where the two main characters meet is completely cut out. And while at the same time the piano music can be a little too “intrusive” at times, the multiple endings make everything feel overly redundant. Sin. Moreover, this Snackwith a little more “care” it would have had all it needed to remain in the viewer’s memory for a long, long time.
Form
Original name: Snack
Direction: Stefan Brize
Country/year: France / 2023
Duration: 115′
Type: Dramatic
Throw: Alba Rohrwacher, Guillaume Canet, Sharif Andura, Emmy Boissard Pomel
Film script: Stefan Briese, Marie Drucker
Photo: Antoine Eberle
Assembly: Anne Klotz
Music: Vincent Delerme
Director: Sidonie Dumas
Production house: Gaumont Production, France 3 Cinema
Distribution: Miracle Pictures
