In Italian cinemas from 25 January, All men of Victoria It is the latest feature film by French director Justine Triet, presented as the opening film of the Critics' Week at the Cannes Film Festival 2016.

Victoria, brilliant lawyer and divorced mother of two girls, every day he is trying to divide between home and work with poor results. His problems seem to increase when they will have to defend in court his friend, accused of assaulting girlfriend. Luckily, He will come to his aid young practitioner Sam, which it will become for her a sort of guardian angel.

We agree: the subject matter is not particularly original, neither he promises - at least at first, cursory reading of the synopsis - revolutionary twists. and yet, as we all know, since that wonderful machine of cinema can make things more unthinkable, a simple story can capture the personality and individuality also - and above all - thanks to its staging. And this, Fortunately, It is what happens with this last work of Triet, where a clever and well-balanced design has helped to create a small but refined product of its kind, at his courageous, but never excessive and that, from time to time, also he manages to bring a smile to the viewer. But let's degrees.

Inevitably, When we think of a contemporary French play, it occurs to me a series of very similar works among them that - with some exceptions - can not always get to the end. and yet, I our case, When we begin to follow the story of the young - but not so young - Victoria (He interpreted by a capable Virginie Efira), immediately we realize we are faced with something beyond, which focuses on the drama of a woman and it does so subtle and so deeply empathetic, but also, when needed, light and playful. In addition to good writing and the skill of the protagonist, therefore, what is particularly noteworthy is an essential directing and devoid of frills, which, together with a musical score reduced almost to a minimum and long, but necessary silences, so it is to remind the comedies of German filmmaker Maren Ade, in particular, of his successful feature film Meet Toni Erdmann (2016).

And so, after a few minutes, we can only get attached to a character as busy as funny, much independent as in need of love and - seeing her often run from plongé shot from thoughts that are a reminder of the Godard Breathless (1960) - we finish we also feel part of what Justine Triet wanted to tell this time.

Agree, some kind of a film can not be classified as one of the films of the year, questo no. Still amazes me how, Despite its grace and its elegance, It has passed almost unnoticed at the Cannes Film Festival. Whether they are just the big names to attract the attention of the press and the public? We hope not. The important, But, is that, despite everything, a small well-made work can get their proper recognition.

marina fears