L'Horloger de Saint-Paul

In this film, two great French actors Noiret and Rochefort got together, who are undoubtedly attractions for any passionate film fan. Moreover, the starting point of the film - dealing with an exceptionally critical family situation - promises a strong drama. Unfortunately, I did not have a great experience with this. The film keeps its viewers at a distance and does not try to engage them emotionally. You can only speculate about the motives of the crime, and if you learn from the perpetrator's mouth that he wanted to give a gift to his girlfriend by murdering the victim, it is practically impossible to identify with him or have an understanding of his attitude. It is also difficult to find understanding for any character in the film because their psychology, interactions, and motivations are inadequately depicted and justified. I don't know what the director wanted to convey to me, perhaps besides the banality that a descendant who committed a crime is still your son. However, even that can be conveyed in a disproportionately more interesting and emotionally engaging way. Overall impression: 45%. (21.10.2013)