People have a lot of expectations regarding See you Up There after the French press provided the film with glowing reviews. Albert Dupontel’s last movie is adapted from the eponymous novel written by Pierre Lemaître. This book received the prestigious Prix Goncourt in 2013, which reinforced people’s interest and expectations regarding the film. In such a context, it was likely that Dupontel’s work would disappoint the spectators… Well, not for this time! See You Up There even exceeds all these expectations, and surely appears as Dupontel’s masterpiece!
The film tells the story of two veterans of the First World War. One year after the War, these two men are still traumatized both physically and mentally. Physically, like Edouard (Nahuel Perez Biscayart), a young aristocrat and a very talented artist who has been disfigured by a bombshell. Mentally, like Albert (Albert Dupontel), a modest accountant that war made paranoiac. Both men are disillusioned by the consequences of the war and the hypocrisy of the population who publically celebrate its war heroes while simultaneously never really helping them. The two friends thus decide to unite their talents in order to set up a “war-memorial scam”. This adventure would be as dangerous as it is spectacular.
A Visual Masterpiece
Despite its painful subject and the immorality of its main protagonists, See You Up There is a magnificent masterpiece. The film is visually breathtaking, notably thanks to its masterful camera movements, its poetical shots and its original framings. The splendid costumes, Edouard’s surprising masks, the make-up and the settings also contribute to create a depiction of the after-war era that is very pleasant to watch. The film’s visual ambiance reminds the atmosphere of Caro and Jeunet’s movies. Therefore, the French films’ enthusiasts would probably feel a sweet nostalgia that interestingly contrasts with the difficult memories of the war and the post-war era evoked by the film. This opposition between the enchanting beauty of the film and the painful subject it approaches creates a sweet poesy.
A Modern Fairy-Tale
This poesy imparts a fairy-tale ambiance to the film. Consequently, some might reproach to the movie its unrealistic aspect and its caricatured characters. However, far from being a weakness, the Romanesque side of the film contributes to generate deep emotional responses from the spectators. Indeed, thanks to the original mise-en-scène of its characters (especially when they are introduced for the first time to the audience), Dupontel succeeds in giving a particular aura to all of his characters, even the more secondary ones.
Intriguing Characters
These theatrical characters direct the story’s progression. The film does not focus that much on the plot of the scam; it prefers to explore the way the characters act and react facing this fraud. By doing so, it reinforces the feelings the spectators have toward the characters: we love to hate the lieutenant Pradelle (brightly acted by Laurent Lafite); we are moved by Edouard’s sister (Emilie Dequenne, excellent as well); we support entirely the two very touching crooks. Therefore, the audience is more than ever implicated in the movie and feels concerned by the issues of the story.
A Melancholic and Moving Poem
In addition, this empathy for the characters makes Dupontel’s film moving. See You Up There is truly shattering. Despite its difficult subject, the movie succeeds in inserting nice and funny moments, and to make the audience laugh. It thus creates a beautiful contrast with the more tragic and heartbreaking scenes. This mix of emotions is caused by the attachment the spectators have to the characters, but also to the breathtaking performances of the actors. Nahuel Pérez Biscyart in particular is more impressing than ever. The young Argentinian actor was the revelation of BPM, and with See You Up There, he confirms that he is among the talents we should keep an eye on. Despite the facts that his character is mute and that his face is most of the time covered by various masks, the actor succeeds in transmitting Edouard’s interiority thanks to his very expressive gaze and his graceful way to move. He takes up the challenge of his part with a surprising mastery and really moves the spectators. His gloomy glance commingles perfectly with the poesy of the image and of the situation. Together, they bring a melancholic and bittersweet dimension to the movie.
Dupontel’s Masterpiece?
The French critiques say that See You Up There is Dupontel’s masterpiece and they are probably right. This melancholic fairy-tale owns a real visual diversity and presents moving characters. By doing so, the movie completely takes the spectators away for a magical trip they will never forget.
