When the torrent of water that floods the screen in the opening shot of Driving Madeleine (Une Belle Course) starts to clear, we see the world weary face of Charles Hoffman (Dany Boon) in the driving seat of his Taxi Parisien as it leaves a car wash. This is a man who has driven enough kilometres in his leased cab to circle the earth thrice yet has never left France. He has big money worries, so when his colleague at taxi HQ offers him a fare with the meter on as soon as he starts his run, he accepts.
His fare, to be picked up in a suburb of Paris that retains a rural feel, is nonagenarian Madeleine Keller (Line Renaud) who is heading for a care home but instead asks for a tour of Paris. This journey, strewn with poignant clear eyed memories of Madeleine’s long and remarkable life, and with glimpses of the glorious iconic parts of Paris as an indulgent backdrop for the viewer, makes the film a joy to be wallowed in on many levels.
The bond that slowly blossoms between driver and passenger is terrifically realised by the duo of Dany Boon and Line Renaud, who worked so well together in Boon’s superb 2008 comedy Bienvenue chez les Ch’tis. The real life bond between them and director Christian Carion, who all share the same home town of Armentières in Northern France, shows in his sensitive direction.
Madeleine’s memories of her life in the ‘50s, when conditions for women were challenging to say the least, are brought to life by Alice Isaaz as the young Mado with Jérémie Laheurte as her violent husband Ray, known for his lead role in the TV series Paris Police. Costumes from the era from Agnès Noden bring a subtle elegance to the film.
The film’s strong message of the brevity of life and the importance of a treasured love that stays in the heart is compounded by the use of songs such as At Last from Etta James and This Bitter Earth by Dinah Washington with composer Philippe Rombi’s score augmenting the mood.
Cyril Gely’s ear to the ground dialogue is laced with humour like his mischievous one line for Line Renaud that’s worth listening out for in the scene when Charles goes through a red light.
Filmed using ingenious cinematography to create the illusion of being in the taxi, Une Belle Course breaks and warms the hearts in equal measure as it shows the City of Light at its beautiful best. This is a modern day fairy tale with a philosophical slant that the French do so well. To quote Charles when Madeleine asks to take his arm, “Ça me touche.”
Driving Madeleine (Une Belle Course) is on general release from 17th November and showing at Edinburgh’s Dominion Cinema as part of this year’s French Film Festival on 22nd November 2023 at 18.00
Irene Brown
Radio Summerhall Arts 