With its 5-star cast that would make any director envious, La Famille is one of the most anticipated shows of the season. More bankable than ever, Samuel Benchetrit is back after the successes of Lapin and Maman, painting a portrait of a rather fractured family on the stage of Théâtre Edouard VII. A bittersweet comedy brought to life by charismatic actors who struggle to elevate a text of limited scope.
In the Ronchon family, I would like...
First, there are the loving parents, played by the particularly dynamic duo Claire Nadeau / Michel Jonasz. It’s clear from the start that they hardly see their two sons, who live next door. Arriving for dinner is the younger son Jérôme, who is quite grumpy (François-Xavier Demaison) along with his wife, who has a sweet English accent (Kate Moran). The reason for their gathering tonight is that Jérôme has a big favor to ask of his older brother Max (Patrick Timsit). We won’t spoil what it is, just to keep a little mystery about the show. However, the catch is that Max and Jérôme despise each other... Can one accept to help someone they’ve loathed since birth?
The Performers to the Rescue
Indeed, the plot is entirely predictable, and those who don’t guess the ending are the true audience champions. While Samuel Benchetrit’s text focuses on a subject as universal yet rarely tackled on stage (the deep-seated hatred and jealousy that creates chaos in a sibling relationship), one might wish for a deeper exploration of these themes.
On the other hand, we must commend the performances of this cast, who genuinely seem to believe in the material. In particular, Patrick Timsit and Michel Jonasz give the impression of being father and son for real, as their interactions are surprisingly resonant! Claire Nadeau, regal as ever, brings her comedic power to the mix: her expressions in the background are worth watching. Verdict? Part of the audience is asking for more, while the other enjoys a pleasant time. Nothing more, nothing less.
From Tuesday to Saturday at 9 PM. Saturday at 4:30 PM, Sunday at 4 PM.
© Jean-Baptiste Mondino
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