Alessandro, a Strasbourg university music professor has mourned the death of his wife for quite some time. Having emigrated to France, he finds himself living with his daughter Irina and his eccentric brother Luigi, a recluse who refuses to leave the apartment until the then Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi has been deposed. As the story begins, we follow Alessandro to his class at the local university. An Italian by birth, Alessandro has adjusted well to his adoptive country, something he shares with his vast circle of friends.
There is another side to the professor. He brings joy to patients at a local hospital who are battling different diseases. Agathe, an older woman, enjoys Alessandro's visits as well as his reading to her. She appears to be quite sick with cancer. Their bond is quite strong, to the point the dying Agathe entrusts him a letter to be given to her own estranged daughter, Florence. We see Alessandro offering to read to an older man who is not interested in the classic texts he carries; he wants to hear sexy stories, which bring a smile to his face.
Alessandro's daughter Irina is a teenager with her own problems. Luigi tries helping make things better between Alessandro and her. Luigi, on the other hand is a bit tires of watching his brother not get involved romantically again. He decides to conspire with Irina is impersonating him in a date site on the internet. Lo and behold, they pick a colleague at the university, who realizes it is Alessandro from the start. Irina finds romance, even though her father is not too happy with her choice. Finally, Alessandro finds he has really enjoyed meeting Florence. Unknown to him, Luigi and Irina make the right movements to get them together.
Philippe Claudel the creator of "Tous Les Soleils" gives us an amazing view of decent man who is dealing with his own pain in ways that are completely unselfish. In addition from making an impression on his musical students, he wants them to profit from what he has to teach them. His compensates what he is lacking in his life, the sadness in his heart, by giving himself to help others less fortunate than him. In this day, one wishes there would be more people like Alessandro in this world.
His own life is dedicated to giving Irina, his daughter, the best he knows how. His relationship with his anarchist brother Luigi is good natured, in spite of the irritation he gets by watching his sibling waste his life in useless projects. His relationship with Agathe, the dying older woman is that of a mother and son. He mourns her death, while at the same time, finding an unexpected interest in the daughter of her beloved friend.
M. Claudel directs with a sure hand. His tale is quite credible as it rings true. We know people like these, although Alessandro is luckier in that he has found fulfillment in helping others. Stefano Accorso, the Italian actor, now firmly enjoying another film career in France, shows why he is one of the most charismatic performers in European films. He has an easy way to project manliness and honesty. Neri Marcore and Lisa Cipriani are seen as Luigi and Irina. Both do excellent work for M. Claudel. The film is graced by Anouk Aime, who at this stage of her life radiates sweetness and dignity as Agathe. Clothilde Coureau makes a good impression with her Florence. The supporting cast is wonderful as well.
One of the achievements of M. Claudel is in the use of music. It makes sense since Alessandro is involved in teaching it. Chrisina Pluhar contributes with most of the music one hears in the score. Denis Lenoir, the cinematographer takes us all over the beautiful city of Strasbourg and some surrounding areas in clear images that mix well with the story. Philippe Claudel proves he is a talent worth following.
There is another side to the professor. He brings joy to patients at a local hospital who are battling different diseases. Agathe, an older woman, enjoys Alessandro's visits as well as his reading to her. She appears to be quite sick with cancer. Their bond is quite strong, to the point the dying Agathe entrusts him a letter to be given to her own estranged daughter, Florence. We see Alessandro offering to read to an older man who is not interested in the classic texts he carries; he wants to hear sexy stories, which bring a smile to his face.
Alessandro's daughter Irina is a teenager with her own problems. Luigi tries helping make things better between Alessandro and her. Luigi, on the other hand is a bit tires of watching his brother not get involved romantically again. He decides to conspire with Irina is impersonating him in a date site on the internet. Lo and behold, they pick a colleague at the university, who realizes it is Alessandro from the start. Irina finds romance, even though her father is not too happy with her choice. Finally, Alessandro finds he has really enjoyed meeting Florence. Unknown to him, Luigi and Irina make the right movements to get them together.
Philippe Claudel the creator of "Tous Les Soleils" gives us an amazing view of decent man who is dealing with his own pain in ways that are completely unselfish. In addition from making an impression on his musical students, he wants them to profit from what he has to teach them. His compensates what he is lacking in his life, the sadness in his heart, by giving himself to help others less fortunate than him. In this day, one wishes there would be more people like Alessandro in this world.
His own life is dedicated to giving Irina, his daughter, the best he knows how. His relationship with his anarchist brother Luigi is good natured, in spite of the irritation he gets by watching his sibling waste his life in useless projects. His relationship with Agathe, the dying older woman is that of a mother and son. He mourns her death, while at the same time, finding an unexpected interest in the daughter of her beloved friend.
M. Claudel directs with a sure hand. His tale is quite credible as it rings true. We know people like these, although Alessandro is luckier in that he has found fulfillment in helping others. Stefano Accorso, the Italian actor, now firmly enjoying another film career in France, shows why he is one of the most charismatic performers in European films. He has an easy way to project manliness and honesty. Neri Marcore and Lisa Cipriani are seen as Luigi and Irina. Both do excellent work for M. Claudel. The film is graced by Anouk Aime, who at this stage of her life radiates sweetness and dignity as Agathe. Clothilde Coureau makes a good impression with her Florence. The supporting cast is wonderful as well.
One of the achievements of M. Claudel is in the use of music. It makes sense since Alessandro is involved in teaching it. Chrisina Pluhar contributes with most of the music one hears in the score. Denis Lenoir, the cinematographer takes us all over the beautiful city of Strasbourg and some surrounding areas in clear images that mix well with the story. Philippe Claudel proves he is a talent worth following.