The priest and the prostitute: these two characters were often found in the old cinema's directors of the late fifties, Léo Joannon (Le Désert De Pigalle) or Maurice Cloche (Les Filles De Nuit). Those works of long ago have not worn well, that's to put it mildly.

Denis Dercourt's effort, however, has nothing to do with those old-fashioned melodramas. It's a modern movie which I would recommend only to believers because atheists would probably laugh at the providential ending, under a sky we could call Heaven.

Nevertheless, the story essentially focuses on the priest and it seems that the director is less interested in his hooker and her son gone in a coma. Both go on a pilgrimage to Abbeville where Virgin Mary would have appeared and fed starving children by throwing wheat all over the place; we are told, by the driver who takes them in his car, that the Catholic church has not yet recognized this miracle. This is basically a road movie which is the priest's road to Damascus because when the movie begins, he doesn't seem to believe anymore in what he preaches. En route to Abbeville, they will meet many ordinary people from a religion scholar to bad boys. Little by little, the priest opens up and finds out that Christ isn't in his church where he conducts a choir but on the roads, in the mental hospitals where simple people watch the birds or collect shells.

This is a fine performance by Michel Duchaussoy.

French-language cinema, whether in France, Québec, or other Francophone regions, explores cultural identity, social change, and the tension between the individual and society. French cinema is not only celebrated for its intellectual experimentation and auteur traditions, but also its success in mainstream comedy, romance, and commercial entertainment. In Québec, films often focus on questions of language, belonging, and community within a distinct cultural landscape.

Jean-Pierre Léaud in The 400 Blows (1959)

The comedy genre refers to a category of entertainment that aims to amuse and entertain audiences by using humor, wit, and comedic situations. Comedies are created with the primary intention of eliciting laughter and providing lighthearted enjoyment. They encompass a wide range of styles, tones, and themes, appealing to various tastes and audiences.

Will Ferrell, Angela Grillo, and Lap-Gei Cheung in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)

The drama genre is a broad category that features stories portraying human experiences, emotions, conflicts, and relationships in a realistic and emotionally impactful way. Dramas delve into the complexities of human life, often exploring themes of love, loss, morality, societal issues, personal growth, with the aim to evoke an emotional response from the audience by presenting relatable and thought-provoking stories.

Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)

A hooker whose son is in a coma and a priest go on a pilgrimage to Abbeville where Virgin Mary would have appeared and fed starving children by throwing wheat all over the place.

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Get a closer look at these actors from their many TV and streaming series roles.

Lise et André

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