VENICE 2021: Promises ‘Les Promesses’
VENICEThomas Kruithof's Promises ‘Les Promesses’ is a poignant and thematically rich drama that excels in creating immersive character moments but lacks in all its social commentary a sharp bite.
First and foremost, regardless of plot and context, Kruithof already has one plus on his side in the casting of Isabelle Huppert as lead character and firecracker Clémence. Now, it might be redundant to state the obvious, but of course, Huppert puts forward a snappy and charismatic performance. Even in her small stature, such a motif advertently elevates her character and allegorical social fight for the public masses against the systemic corporate intent. Huppert's curation is quick, snappy, and undeniably venomous, but it is a performance that proposes such with a loud bark and no bite. Les Promesses showcases the strengths of the actress in an equally as energetic and ferocious screenplay from the writer-director Kruithof and Jean-Baptiste Delafon.
The duo brings a conscious point of showcasing the double standard and political bickering that occurs in the wake of livelihoods. That being said, even with Les Promesses taking a clear and ardent political stance with its narrative, it ultimately feels lacking in a bite. Not necessarily showcasing violence as such but harrowing ad genuinely uncomfortable sequences of those whose lives are rocked due to political ignorance.
Les Promesses, if anything, wants to showcase the cutthroat nature of the political context rather than the humanised approach of the people this story truly affects. Granted, the material presented suffices with the particular performance from Reda Kateb, the shining star in this feature. A role that carries not only the moral compass but the heart and soul of this feature, Kateb is charismatic and heartfelt in his approach.
While perhaps the context of this feature does not go to the particular heights expected or presumed, the washed-out consciously metallic and robotic colour grading with solid camera work throughout consistently makes Les Promesses an equally as effective experience to witness and be immersed. Kruithof's feature might not be what would be expected, but it's a well-produced and performed feature that adequately and respectfully presents an intriguing story.
