Ismael’s Ghosts

"[The] screenplay is a treasure trove of references to themes and even types of characters from some of the great classics and Desplechin’s own films (..) The use of both dialogue and film language is sophisticated (...) the acting is superb." 

"A jumbled, prismatic portrait of a filmmaker haunted by his past (...) How much of this cinematic pseudo-selfie is informed by life experience? Hard to say — and even harder to swallow." 

"The opening film of the 2017 Cannes Film Festival is several movies at once, some more successful than others (...) Still, the movie retains an air of elegance." 

"[It] was never going to be a great film, but it’s a tasteful way to kick off the 70th Cannes Film Festival" 

"Despite a classy cast, which includes Charlotte Gainsbourg and Mathieu Amalric alongside Cotillard, Arnaud Desplechin’s Cannes opener is a baffling mess (...) Rating: ★★ (out of 5)" 

"Desplechin stages this reunion as a haunting, and his three leads play it to prickling perfection (...) There’s frustration in it too (...) [but] it’s a price worth paying (…) Rating: ★★★ (out of 5)" 

"The stories bounce around in time but are suspenseful and intriguing rather than confusing"