Bringing serious topics to the forefront in the most hilarious way
Best known for multi-award-winning film The Intouchables (2011), Eric Toledano and Olivier Nakache team together once again to display their cinematic prowess in their latest film, A Difficult Year. An official selection of the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival, the film looks at modern issues such as consumerism (or rather, overconsumption), waste, climate change, eco-anxiety, debt, and social activism in a most light-hearted way.
It starts with a protest scene at a Black Friday sale, which, I am told, is not far off the truth. It is during this scene that Albert (Pio Marmaï) first encounters the group of eco-activists, including Cactus, portrayed by 2023 César Award Winner for Best Supporting Actress Noémie Merlant. The opening scene is high energy, hilarious and sets both the tone and the pace for the rest of the film.
Shortly thereafter, we meet third lead character, Bruno (Jonathan Cohen), whom Albert encounters while trying to deliver the television he recently purchased. We soon learn they are both compulsive spenders, in an insurmountable amount of debt, and are trying their best to reform their behaviour under the guidance of community worker Henri (Mathieu Amalric). It is at one of these sessions that they come across the social activists and view some of the group’s activities as opportunities to solve their problems.
The film’s conception began during the pandemic, as Toledano and Nakache reflected on the state of the world, and how it has evolved from one generation to the next – and continues to do so. Can continual economic growth continue? Is it all worth it?
The character of Noémie was modelled on real life eco-activist Cactus, and of whom Merlant spent some time with to research the role. Some of the protest scenes involve recruits from actual protests, so it is mix of professional actors and real participants that gives off a collective and genuine energy. At first, Albert was to be played by Cohen, and Bruno by Marmaï; thankfully the roles were switched as each suited their roles perfectly. The pair also appeared to have a genuine sense of camaraderie on set; and along with Merlant, there was a real sense of warmth mixed with comedy.
Although Amalric’s character is somewhat separate from the activist trio, his longstanding, multi-award-winning career and talent make him a key part of the film’s humour. He and his company appear to be a side plot, yet they add significant depth to the story.
Suitable for all audiences, this film takes a hilarious poke at some serious modern issues, and I wholeheartedly enjoyed it. While conclusions are drawn about the root cause of these issues, there are many loose ends with the characters by the time it finishes. Yet, plot completion hardly matters when you leave the cinema feeling great after so much laughter.
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