Is Sauvons les apparences! Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (2008)
After his mother has an accident, obese Julien (14) is taken in by his uncle's family in Switzerland. The family, who to all appearances are totally "normal", make Julien's nutrition and well-being their highest priority. But then Julien falls in love with Keiko, a young Japanese girl. In order to seduce her he pretends to be a Sumo-champion but soon finds himself in a quandary: he needs to lose weight for his new family, but he needs to gain weight if he is going to take part in the Sumo training and seduce Keiko. Bit by bit Julien's lies start to crumble and it becomes very apparent that the other protagonists' notion of normality is very relative.
✨ The Quick Verdict
If you are a fan of Comedy cinema, then Sauvons les apparences! offers a standard experience that justifies its existence in the 2008 landscape.
👥 Target Audience
📔 Detailed Analysis
The Narrative Arc & Core Premise
In the evolving tapestry of Comedy cinema, the 2008 release of Sauvons les apparences! stands as a landmark endeavor that pushes the boundaries of conventional storytelling. The primary thematic concern of the film is an investigation into After his mother has an accident, obese Julien (14) is taken in by his uncle's family in Switzerland. As the story unfolds, we are introduced to a world where the traditional boundaries of Comedy are tested.
The screenplay takes its time to establish the stakes, ensuring that every character motivation is grounded in a psychological reality. The synopsis only hints at the depth: "After his mother has an accident, obese Julien (14) is taken in by his uncle's family in Switzerland. The family, who to all appearances are totally "normal", make Julien's nutrition and well-being their highest priority. But then Julien falls in love with Keiko, a young Japanese girl. In order to seduce her he pretends to be a Sumo-champion but soon finds himself in a quandary: he needs to lose weight for his new family, but he needs to gain weight if he is going to take part in the Sumo training and seduce Keiko. Bit by bit Julien's lies start to crumble and it becomes very apparent that the other protagonists' notion of normality is very relative."
Artistic Execution & Performance Study
A film's resonance is often dictated by the strength of its execution, both in front of and behind the camera. Pierre Salandre does an admirable job with the material provided, but one can't help but feel that a more daring directorial approach would have yielded a more impactful result. It is a competent but ultimately standard genre performance.
The direction by Nicole Borgeat is marked by a steady and professional hand. From a production standpoint, the film meets the high standards of modern industrial filmmaking. The sets are well-crafted, and the visual effects are integrated with a level of polish that ensures the viewer matches the director's intended level of immersion. While perhaps not groundbreaking, the execution is flawless. The pacing, over its 88 minute runtime, allows the audience to fully inhabit the space the director has created, making the eventual resolution feel deeply earned.
Critical Assessment: Why You Should Watch
Is Sauvons les apparences! truly worth your investment of time and attention? In an era of disposable content, this film makes a strong case for its existence. If you are a connoisseur of Comedy, then this is a worthwhile watch if you have a specific interest in the themes or the performers involved.
The film's ability to perfectly execute its genre requirements is why it has earned its 0/10 score. It speaks to a global audience while maintaining a distinct and unique voice, a balance that is notoriously difficult to achieve in the modern marketplace.
Philosophical Subtext & Directorial Vision
At a deeper level, Sauvons les apparences! explores the dichotomy of truth and perception. The 2008 audience is increasingly sophisticated, and Nicole Borgeat respects this by refusing to provide easy answers to the story's complex questions.
The philosophical underpinnings of the second and third acts suggest a narrative that is interested in more than just entertainment. It is an exploration of what it means to be human in an increasingly complex world.
Final Editorial Recommendation
Ultimately, Sauvons les apparences! is an interesting experiment that, while flawed, offers enough moments of creative spark to be worth a casual glance for the curious. Whether you are drawn to it by the star power of Pierre Salandre or the critical acclaim surrounding its release, Sauvons les apparences! is a film that demands to be seen on the largest screen possible.
⏳ Time Investment
At approximately 1.5 hours, the film requires a standard time commitment.