In each of us lives a small, and sometimes a significant amount of madness. The world in which we exist is absurd and lacks clear boundaries between right and wrong. Everything is relative. This is the profound idea that French director Claude Lelouch masterfully conveys in his film Finalement, which makes its grand debut at the 81st Venice Film Festival.
At the center of the story of Finalement, presented out of competition at the 81st Venice Film Festival, is a lawyer Lino, whose role is brilliantly performed by Kad Merad. Lino suffers from a syndrome that deprived him of the ability to lie. Now his every thought, every impulse of his soul comes out in the form of pure, unfiltered truth. His sincerity, bordering on the absurd, and courageous actions put the viewer in front of questions that are not always easy to answer. Finalement is a story of immersion in the paradox of human nature, full of encounters with a variety of people. From a porn film director to a lawyer helping people in difficult moments, the hero goes through a series of unforgettable situations.
Lino is convinced that in order to better understand a person, namely his client, you have to put yourself in his shoes, live his life. Only in this way can he truly understand the essence of what is happening. This is the philosophy Lino follows throughout the film: he tries to feel every encounter, every event, allowing them to happen naturally in his life, because he believes that everything that happens to us is for our good. The theme of faith and relationships with God also holds a special place in the film. A meeting with a certain “God,” a passing man, becomes significant for Lino.
Lino is a man with a rich family history. He has a daughter from his first marriage who has a beautiful voice and dreams of becoming a singer, and a son from his second marriage, who aspires to be a director. By chance, Lino discovers the existence of a half-sister who unexpectedly appears in his mother’s shop. Soon, this relative becomes his client after being arrested during her fight for the rights of women with so-called low social responsibility. Lino also has a beautiful wife, a famous actress, but their relationship has reached a dead end, filled with routine and constant torment between truth and lies and lack of intimacy.
Tired of difficult relationships, Lino decides to seek solitude. He leaves his family and embarks on a walking journey across France without a clear plan or pre-determined route. With just one bag in hand, a light jacket, and a beret, he moves from place to place, meeting different people and listening to their stories.
Sometimes even seemingly bad weather doesn’t always play tricks on us, but quite the opposite. Forced by the rain to seek shelter in a barn, Lido spent the night there. The next morning, he was discovered by the owner of the farm, a pleasant woman who greeted him with coffee and an omelet. This meeting proved to be significant, as they soon spent the morning making music together – she on the piano and he on the trumpet, an instrument he had recently purchased at an antique store. Lino, who is not only a gifted communicator but also a skilled musician, considers this encounter one of the most memorable experiences in his journey, which continued beyond that single meeting. At the same time, Lino becomes increasingly estranged from his wife and asks his family to give him his freedom. As he attentively interacts with each person he meets, listening to their unusual and sometimes deeply candid stories, Lino gradually learns more about himself and discovers truths that resonate deeply within his soul. Despite the occasional headaches that bother him, he remains steadfast in his journey.
Throughout the film, the audience is accompanied by touching musical rhythms. A beautiful, gentle female voice immerses the viewer in reflections on human emotions, values, relationships, and the ability to find joy in everyday life. Thus, Lino’s journey is not only a physical journey across France but also a journey within himself, where every face he encounters, every story, becomes a reflection of his own fears, hopes, and aspirations.
Throughout Claude Lelouch’s feature, the main character points out to the viewer how important it is to listen not only to others, but also to oneself. In a world where there are no absolute truths and where we, its inhabitants, are inherently out of control, it is important to listen to your soul and let life unfold naturally. Lino teaches us that every step along the way, every person we meet, is an opportunity to discover something new about ourselves. The absurdity and madness of life can become a source of strength and inspiration if we learn to accept them as part of ourselves.
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