Released on November 13, “Finally” could well be the last feature film directed by Claude Lelouch. What did the spectators think of this film carried by Kad Merad and his trumpet?
And one more film for Claude Lelouch, which brings his total of feature films to fifty-one. As its title suggests, Finally could well be the last, even if the author of A Man and a Woman is not so sure he wants to stop.
In the meantime, he takes us on the roads of France alongside the character played by Kad Merad, for a road trip with musical accents, where the trumpet often sounds while the director links several eras of his filmography. But what did the spectators think of this new opus?
With an average of 2.8 out of 5 obtained from 63 ratings*, Finally starts above Love is better than life, his previous opus, but below Un + une (3, 1), one of his most beloved films of recent years. Even if The Most Beautiful Years of a Life, its sequel to A Man and a Woman, is ahead of these feature films with its 3.5.
As for Kad Merad, this is his highest rated film since Citizen of Honor, released in 2022 and which obtained an average of 2.9 out of 5.
What do viewers think of “Finally”?
“Thank you for everything Mr. Lelouch”ignites bernard grinbaum (5 out of 5). “True to himself, we find in this film the touch of a director who has been with us for so long.”
“Thank you and Bravo Mr. Lelouch, another masterpiece with Kad as conductor”presses on his side Jacques B (same note), which confirms that the film is aimed above all at fans of his work.
Pour Benji75 (5 out of 5 also), Finally is quite simply “one of the best Lelouch. Very musical film, which feels good and where the pleasure of the actors is felt in each shot.”
“A good Lelouch, crazy but with actors at their top level, beautiful landscapes well filmed, twisting dialogues and a story that we can follow and which touches us”writes on his side Frédéric A. (5 out of 5 too).
Music is a strong point for other Internet users. As Ydxbemxs llik (3.5 out of 5): according to him, they are “comforting and provide real added value, making this film warm and full of hope for the future.
The film is touching and optimistic without falling into silliness, the direction by Claude Lelouch is wonderful, certain shots stay in our minds because they are so beautiful.”
“The film is touching and optimistic without falling into silliness”
“A nostalgic song, the melodies and lyrics recall a glorious past, the distant magic still operates”this lawyer (3.5 out of 5). Which, contrary to the comment above, highlights the best-of side which ultimately seems to be reserved for connoisseurs of Claude Lelouch's cinema:
“The hidden son of Lino and Françoise retraces the journey of the great Claude. A self-tribute, an ode to oneself, a journey towards one's own codes, a journey of themes, destiny and encounters.”
All the spectators who gave it between 3 and 3.5, however, agree on the flaws of the feature film:
“We will, however, note a certain irregularity in the narration which can be disturbing at certain moments; it happens that we don't really know where reality wants to lead us, but the knot ends up untangling itself at the end” (Ydxbemxs llik), “very good time despite some lengths” (Rémi F3.5 out of 5), “an uneven kaleidoscope, an echo of concerns that will speak to experts about its trademarks” (lawyer).
“A lot of lengths”also regrets giorginoxxl (2.5 out of 5) who, if he greets a “good direction of actors (normal it’s Claude Lelouch!)”turns out to be less tender with the whole: “tasteless and dull songs (…), shaky and boring storyline.”
What confirms Arcelon (2 out of 5), both on the qualities (“the casting is so cool. the work around the music (which has an important place) is great”) as the defects.
“I don’t understand how a director like Claude Lelouch can come up with such a story”
“So I completely missed the message of the film. It was very confusing, full of scenes whose purpose I didn’t understand. It didn’t transport me”we can indeed read. Here or at Armand Hennon (also 2): “Failed film despite efforts. Too disjointed, no storyline. Lelouch's actors no longer have the glamor of those of the great era.”
And there are those who, such Math719 (1 out of 5), save nothing or almost nothing: “Here we are once again witnessing a director's film and his navel-gazing: annoying! No, this film is not interesting, the message he wants to convey is there but we spend 1 hour 45 minutes of the entire film trying to boring and finally the soundtrack is not at all pleasant to hear, redundant and annoying.”
More positive in appearance, when he recognizes the qualities of the music, Simon Bernard ultimately turns out to be more virulent: “In the end it was a real purge to watch. Kad Merad wanders through a non-existent scenario, disjointed when it is not frankly incoherent. We are inundated with useless script elements which constantly take us on false trails.
The dialogues are stupid, the characters hollow and insignificant, responding to a primitive vision of love. (…) I don't understand how a director like Claude Lelouch can produce such a story, visibly spoiled by a lack of clear direction and intention. To flee.”
In summary
The music and the actors are not far from unanimous approval, even among the most negative Internet users on Finally. Which seems above all reserved for Claude Lelouch aficionados (even if one of them claims to have been particularly disappointed), those most likely to appreciate this tour of France.
But it is more on the side of the scenario, in its adventures than in what its author wants to tell through them, that the main criticisms concentrate.
And you ? What did you think of Finally?
*Notes as of Thursday, November 14, 2024
