Path of Solitude or Discovery

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MOVIE REVIEW
On the Wandering Paths (Sur les chemins noirs)
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Genre: Drama
Year Released: 2023, 2024 Icarus Films DVD
Runtime: 1h 35m
Director(s): Denis Imbert
Writer(s): Sylvain Tesson, Denis Imbert, Diastème
Cast: Jean Dujardin, Izïa Higelin, Jonathan Zaccaï, Anny Duperey, Dylan Robert, Joséphine Japy, Olivier Charasson, Lou Chauvain
Where To Watch: available November 5, 2024; pre-order your copy here: www.amazon.com

RAVING REVIEW: In ON THE WANDERING PATHS, Director Denis Imbert channels Sylvain Tesson's raw and personal memoir into a sweeping cinematic trip that explores the literal landscapes of the French countryside and the rugged terrain of human resilience. The film follows Pierre, brought to life with intensity by Jean Dujardin, whose near-fatal accident propels him into a 1,300-kilometer journey across the vistas from the towering Massif Central to the tranquil coasts of Normandy. It’s a journey that is as much about the physical ordeal as the internal battle, visually rendered by Magali Silvestre De Sacy’s dynamic cinematography.

De Sacy's camera works not just as an observer but almost as a confidante of Pierre, capturing the silent grandeur of nature that mirrors his profound solitude. The expansive scenes serve as a counterpart to the protagonist's journey, filled with moments of contemplation triggered by philosophical voiceovers that sometimes tread close to being preachy.

The narrative presents a man deeply marked by his past. Though fleeting, his interactions with people like his sister, Céline (Izïa Higelin,) are charged with emotional potential. Yet, these relationships only scratch the surface of their possible depth, emphasizing Pierre’s ongoing isolation. Dujardin delivers these interactions with a raw authenticity that underscores his character's struggle between connection and solitude.

The story alternates between Pierre’s self-reliance and his sporadic dependence on the characters he meets along his route. These encounters are interlaced with flashbacks that sketch his reckless past, adding to the narrative but occasionally interrupting the film’s smooth storytelling rhythm. These moments aim to deepen the understanding of Pierre's character but sometimes end up feeling like obstacles to the flow of his present narrative.

Through Pierre’s introspective dialogues, ON THE WANDERING PATHS dives into life's existential questions and Pierre's conflicts. His monologues strive to resonate with depth but can disconnect from the tangible reality of his trials, painting a picture of a man battling internal demons more than engaging with the world around him. Rather than being depicted as a path toward transformation, his journey is portrayed as a spirited battle against his physical and emotional constraints.

The film suggests that Pierre's real battle is with his past, depicting his journey more as a quest for survival than a tale of enlightenment. His limited engagements and the concentrated pursuit of his goal underscore a narrative focused more on endurance than emotional discovery, implying his choice to remain isolated rather than open himself to new insights.

The quieter sequences in ON THE WANDERING PATHS meditate on the therapeutic qualities of solitude and nature but never fully capture Pierre’s transformative potential. The film concludes with sympathy for Pierre, whose steadfast perseverance ends without the profound self-revelation one might expect.

The depiction of the sweeping vistas and Pierre’s solitary journey is mesmerizing, yet ultimately portrays a man who remains enigmatic and unresolved, traversing vast landscapes but barely moving beyond his internal confines.

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[photo courtesy of ICARUS FILMS]

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