An almost unbearably-tense, no-holds-barred drive through the nightmare of domestic terrorism, „Custody“ is a can’t-look-away hybrid of gruelling reality and heightened cinematic technique. The mix is jarring, as intended, and this wrenching, heart-stopping film illustrates domestic violence and obsession in a way that makes the fear real. Yet the director also cites „The Shining“ and „Kramer Vs. Kramer“ amongst his influences, and they’re easily identified here too. This is a dynamic feature debut from France’s Xavier Legrand.
The film starts at a magistrate’s court, where Antoine and his wife Miriam, with their representatives, are engaged in a bitter custody battle. Somebody is lying to the judge, who makes an abrupt decision with far-reaching consequences. As Antoine starts to exercise his parental rights over the young boy – to the child’s obvious dread – „Custody“ is barely watchable: the distress shown by young actor Gioria is anxiety-inducing and almost too raw and real for a film. But all the while, Menochet’s Antoine is beginning to reveal himself, and it’s a familiar portrait to anyone who has ever encountered obsession and domestic violence.
Fionnuala Halligan, Chief Film Critic, Screen Daily
Custody
Jusqu’à La Garde
MS14
Genre
Drama
Director
Xavier Legrand
Run time
1h 34min
Cast
Denis Ménochet, Léa Drucker
Genre
Drama
Director
Xavier Legrand
Run time
1h 34min
Cast
Denis Ménochet, Léa Drucker
An almost unbearably-tense, no-holds-barred drive through the nightmare of domestic terrorism, „Custody“ is a can’t-look-away hybrid of gruelling reality and heightened cinematic technique. The mix is jarring, as intended, and this wrenching, heart-stopping film illustrates domestic violence and obsession in a way that makes the fear real. Yet the director also cites „The Shining“ and „Kramer Vs. Kramer“ amongst his influences, and they’re easily identified here too. This is a dynamic feature debut from France’s Xavier Legrand.
The film starts at a magistrate’s court, where Antoine and his wife Miriam, with their representatives, are engaged in a bitter custody battle. Somebody is lying to the judge, who makes an abrupt decision with far-reaching consequences. As Antoine starts to exercise his parental rights over the young boy – to the child’s obvious dread – „Custody“ is barely watchable: the distress shown by young actor Gioria is anxiety-inducing and almost too raw and real for a film. But all the while, Menochet’s Antoine is beginning to reveal himself, and it’s a familiar portrait to anyone who has ever encountered obsession and domestic violence.
Fionnuala Halligan, Chief Film Critic, Screen Daily
The film starts at a magistrate’s court, where Antoine and his wife Miriam, with their representatives, are engaged in a bitter custody battle. Somebody is lying to the judge, who makes an abrupt decision with far-reaching consequences. As Antoine starts to exercise his parental rights over the young boy – to the child’s obvious dread – „Custody“ is barely watchable: the distress shown by young actor Gioria is anxiety-inducing and almost too raw and real for a film. But all the while, Menochet’s Antoine is beginning to reveal himself, and it’s a familiar portrait to anyone who has ever encountered obsession and domestic violence.
Fionnuala Halligan, Chief Film Critic, Screen Daily
Info
Rating
Under 14 Not Recommended
Production year
2017
Global distributor
Celluloid Dreams
Local distributor
Must Käsi 2 OÜ
In cinema
5/4/2018