Quick summary: Sometimes I just don't *get* French movies, and this was one of those times - I found this story of a failing cattle rancher to be utterly incomprehensible. Please note that this review does give away the ending to the film. Well, sort of.

Title: Last Winter (L'Hiver Dernier)

Release: 2011

Director: John Shank

Starring:

Vincent Rottiers (Johann)

I should know by now that, sometimes, I don't get French movies. And while, strictly speaking, this is a Franco-Belgian co-production, it's set in Midi-Pyrénées - so it definitely counts.

Now, I think I understood the basic premise of the film; Johann, a young cattle rancher, is faced with the option of modernizing his operation, or potentially going under. The other members of his cattle co-op have all voted to modernize, but Johann refuses to. Following a string of bad luck - his barn catches fire and his herd is repossessed to cover his debts - Johann gives up hope and walks out alone into a snowstorm, presumably intending to die. What I didn't understand was everything else that happened in the movie.

First of all, I couldn't figure out if Johann is or is not married, and if the woman who may-or-may-not be his wife is real or a figment of his imagination. We see her only at long intervals (her first and second appearance are separated by an hour), usually asleep in bed, and rarely hear her speak. Nor does she seem to interact with anyone but Johann.

Secondly, there is a man who appears in exactly two scenes. In the first, he is giving Johann advice, even though it isn't clear who he is or how he knows Johann. In the second, the man is dead in his coffin and Johann attends his wake. Why? Who knows! I couldn't figure out who this man was or why he was important.

There is also a young man who seems to be friends with Johann. At first I thought he was an insurance adjuster, because of how they were talking about the barn fire. But, then, about ten minutes later, the actual insurance adjuster shows up.

Johann also has a sister, who has some kind of mental illness which is never explained. At the beginning of the movie, she is living in a hospital. After the barn fire, Johann decides - for no apparent reason - to bring her home. Around the time the cattle are repossessed, he sends her back to the hospital.

I wasn't even 100% sure at the end of the film that Johann was planning to kill himself, though after sleeping on it, I've come to the conclusion that he was. I think I was just too confused while viewing the film to figure that out!

So, what did I like about this movie? First of all, Rottiers' performance. As Johann is really the only character of consequence in the film, a lot rests on Rottiers. The film is very light on dialogue (one of the reasons it is so confusing), so all of Johann's feelings must be conveyed through Rottiers' expressions. He does a great job, even crying - believably - when necessary.

I also enjoyed how the film really showcased the beautiful countryside in which it is set, through all the seasons of the year. I'm considering planning a vacation to Midi-Pyrénées, now! There were forests, and mountain foothills, and great big meadows lined with hedgerows and rocky streams. It looks like a lovely place to visit.

 Originally Written: September 18, 2011