First film by Marine Atlan
The film La Gradiva, directed by Marine Atlan, has been generating enthusiasm since its first screening at Cannes. It is the first long film by the director, screenwriter, and cinematographer, and follows the experiences of a group of French high school students on a school trip to Naples to explore the ruins of Pompeii and the bodies petrified by Mount Vesuvius. The film made a bold choice by not using professional actors.Positive reception from critics
According to AlloCiné, the film currently has an average rating of 4 out of 5, based on 150 ratings and 45 reviews. The audience praises a film of great accuracy, supported by sharp dialogues and remarkable young actors. Arthur Brondy from Club Allociné (5/5) said, "James, Toni, and Suzanne are part of a school trip to Naples. These high school students are fully rooted in the world around them: worried about their future, sometimes concerned about their past, but mainly determined to make the most of this trip to discover the world. These young people talk about sexuality, politics, Parcoursup... they will not come back unscathed from this school trip. We like the strength of the dialogues, the accuracy of the actors (all of them). We are carried along by all the emotions the film makes us feel: laughter, embarrassment, sadness. It's magnificent, moving. The film to see at the end of the year."Praise for emotional depth and artistry
Nanar B. (5/5) said, "Documentary impression, fiction impression, naturalism, formalism, humor, tragedy, silence, noise, very big and very small. It is because it is all of these things at once that the film is so accurate, so alive and finally so familiar, until it completely moves us. The narrative is built neither seen nor known, by small apparent touches and large underground layers. It is great art and perhaps that is how we recognize a great film: by its audacity. The actors are extraordinary. We laugh and cry with them and, in addition, we get some scenes of anthologies. It's wonderful."Humanist and political themes
Jbduam dupont (5/5) said, "A great film, brilliant dialogues and actors! A humanist and political film that we would like to share with the largest number of people in order to be able to draw collective lessons from it. Long live this director! One of the most refined films I have had the opportunity to see in recent times."Emotional impact and immersive storytelling
Denis Couty (4.5/5) said, "Very beautiful film, very accurate, very moving, all the characters are very endearing. We are quickly immersed in the story and the hypnotic rhythm. I recommend it 200%."Reflection on adolescence and identity
Emilie from Club Allociné (4/5) said, "Thanks to an immersive and unique staging, the film plunges us alongside these young people in search of love and identity, but confronted with social barriers. We learn with them, we get bored with them, we watch their mistakes and their lessons, we take a look back at high school as if we had never really left it."Mixed reactions and criticisms
However, some spectators remain at a distance from La Gradiva: a rhythm judged too slow, digressions that leave people puzzled, and a portrayal of youth sometimes criticized as too easy. Others see it as a portrayal of youth that is too easy, fed by stereotypes.Behind the scenes and casting choices
Dominique V. (3.5/5) said, "A very beautiful first film (even if perhaps a bit long) that portrays teenagers as rarely seen in cinema. The director, a professional cinematographer, took her time to choose her young actors (all non-professionals) and had them rehearse for several months before filming, including their own words and expressions in the dialogues. It can be felt. The actors are fantastic, including the Latin teacher."Criticism of pacing and stereotypes
Frasca (2.5/5) said, "Slow film, very slow. Film with a lot of stereotypes about youth. Easy film, too easy. In short, I was bored."Disappointment with substance and direction
Christian RZ from Club Allociné (1.5/5) said, "The substance, as much as there is any, is lost in the irrelevant digressions of the kids with a banlieue accent, who don't know any more than we do why they are there."Conclusion and current availability
In summary, some spectators remain at a distance from La Gradiva: a rhythm judged too slow, digressions that leave people puzzled, and a portrayal of youth sometimes criticized as too easy. However, the majority is won over by this first film of rare accuracy, in which remarkable non-professional young actors carry living and sharp dialogues. Between laughter, embarrassment, and emotion, it offers a sincere plunge into adolescence, at once humanistic and deeply moving. La Gradiva is currently in theaters.
