HOW I KILLED MY FATHER
aka THE WAY I KILLED MY FATHER
aka COMMENT J'AI TUE MON PERE

Year: 2001
UK: Pathe Distribution
Cast: Michel Bouquet, Charles Berling, Natacha Regnier, Amira Casar, Stephane Guillon, Hubert Kounde, Karole Rocher, Marie Micla, Nicole Evans, Philippe Lehembre, Pierre Londiche, Jean-Christophe Lemberton, Manoelle Gaillard, Etienne Louvet, Claude Koener, Thierry De Carbonnieres, Nathalie Mathis, Emanuel Booz, Francois Berleand
Director: Anne Fontaine
Countries: France / Spain
Language: French (English subtitles)
UK: 98 mins
UK Certificate: 15 contains strong language and moderate sex references
UK Release Date: 28 June 2002

Synopsis

Jean-Luc Borde (Charles Berling) is a wealthy gerontologist who runs a private clinic specialising in anti-ageing treatments, and lives with his beautiful wife Isa (Natacha Regnier) in the luxurious Versailles suburbs of Paris. Although Jean-Luc and Isa live a picture-perfect life on the surface, beneath the façade there is resentment and distance between them.

Thirty years earlier, when Jean-Luc was ten years old, his father Maurice (Michel Bouquet) abruptly abandoned him and his brother Patrick (Stephane Guillon), disappearing to practice medicine in Africa without a word of explanation. Jean-Luc has since grown into a detached and uncommitted man, who thinks nothing of cheating on his wife.

On the crowning night of his career, the town's elite gather for a party at Jean-Luc's house to award him the coveted Order of Merit. Although Jean-Luc recently received word that his father was dead, he suddenly sees the enigmatic Maurice standing among the other guests in the garden.

Short on money after being forced to leave Africa, Maurice spends a few days living with Jean-Luc and Isa, throwing their lives into disorder. Although charismatic, he views his son's life with a cruel indifference, and is critical without actually saying the words. Gradually, those closest to Jean-Luc do fall for Maurice's charm, especially Isa who finds him easy to talk to. Even the initially resistant Patrick builds a modest bond with him. However, Jean-Luc is withdrawn, with a fury towards his father that lurks beneath a calm surface. For Jean-Luc, Maurice's unrepentant return calls into question a past and present that must be reconciled, and serves as a catalyst for self-reflection.

Comment J'ai Tue Mon Pere is a compelling exploration of the father-son relationship, with taut dialogue and excellent performances set against the backdrop of Jocelyn Pock's unnerving music. Michael Bouquet won the Cesar Award for Best Actor in 2002 for his role as Maurice.
DVD EXTRAS

Certificate: 15
Feature Running Time: 95 minutes
Language: French
Subtitles: English
Original Aspect Ratio1.85:1 (16x9)
Sound Quality: 5.1 Dolby
Special Features: Theatrical Trailer