DE GAULLE

As time moves forward for General De Gaulle, he leaves behind a nation on their knees - but more importantly, his family. As the tensions of war rise, Charles is doing all he can to maintain the war efforts, while all along worrying about his family back home, wondering when - or indeed if - they will see each other again.

I have no issue with the way Le Bomin tries to tell this story. We as an audience have sat through countless uninspiring and uninventive biopics over the years, so for a director to try something different is both refreshing and welcomed. The problems of this film are not in the structure, but rather Le Bomin seems constrained by the story he's trying to tell. What is seemingly an artistic approach to an otherwise unmoving story results in a film that fails to challenge the audience, nor does it aspire much further research - a key personal indicator whether or not a biopic is making a mark.

It's hard to put my finger on exactly why 'De Gaulle' just doesn't work - but simply put, it lacks the sophistication or deft touch to accomplish what it's trying to achieve. There are a few flashback sequences featuring Anna, and while a passing comment from Charles lets us know that she is "his strength", the subtlety is amiss, so it ends up being more of a wayward plot point than anything more substantial. In terms of the final speech given by Charles, it just missed the inspiring or rousing energy you want from a scene of this nature. I should say that I am not French, and perhaps the patriotic and proud nation would be quick to dismiss my indifference, pointing out instead that this speech turned the tide of the war.

Alas, historically speaking, it really doesn't. And I think that's really my problem with this film; it's just not a very intriguing story. The refugee aspect from the family holds most of the tension and drama of the film, but alongside Charles' political ascendency and subsequent exile, it isn't given enough screen time to completely bring the audience in.

What 'De Gaulle' does offer is a very basic - and oftentimes, very sweet - look at this period of Charles' life. It's really nicely shot, and although the historical accuracies can be questioned, all in all, there is nothing inherently wrong or problematic found here, it just left me feeling generally unamused.