LE COU DE LA GIRAFFE

Frequently funny, and often bittersweet, THE GIRAFFE'S NECK is an intelligently structured, classic tale of discovery and regret affecting three generations.

Recently divorced Helene (Sandrine Bonnaire) and her precocious nine-year-old Mathilde (newcomer Lousi Pili), visit Helene's bored father Paul (Claude Rich) a former bookseller who now lives in a retirement home. Thirty years before, when Helene was only ten, Paul's wife Madelaine ran away with his best friend, and Paul took vengeful action to ensure that Madelaine never heard from them again.

Mathilde had always been told her grandmother was dead - so its with much surprise that she discovers a stash of letters from her. Curious, she steals away from Helene, and enlists Paul's help to track down his ex-wife. Paul commandeers the retirement home's van, and they set off, with nothing but a return address in Biarritz, several hundred miles away. While Paul's friends at the rest home - including ex-cop Leo (the legendary Darry Cowl)) - ingeniously cover his absence, father, daughter and granddaughter move towards separate, decisive reckonings.

First time writer-director Safy Nebbou, refuses to pander to expectations; This highly accomplished and resounding film, swings in mood nonchalantly between joie de vivre and melancholy, and features a most unexpected ending. The result - a marvellous meditation on what's useful and what's futile - is superbly involving.

France - 2004 - Drama - 84 mins
In French with English subtitles

Director: Safy Nebbou
Script: Safy Nebbou, Agnes Yobregat
Cast: Sandrine Bonnaire, Claude Rich, Louis Pili, Darry Cowl