Life is a long quiet river (1988)

Written and directed by first-time filmmaker Étienne Chatiliez, Life is a long quiet river (La vie est un long fleuve tranquille) provides a comedic examination of the perpetual nature/nurture debate of human behaviour. Abandoned by her neglectful colleague and lover on Christmas Eve, Nurse Josette (Catherine Hiegel), decides to take revenge on married Dr. Mavial (Daniel Gelin) for his cruel and noncommittal ways by switching two newborn babies: Babies from two completely opposing backgrounds.

The Le Quesnoys are the epitome of bourgeois perfection: immaculately presented, doting parents instilling the values and etiquette of the class into their five children. The Groseilles, on the other hand, are from the less favourable side of town: financially troubled, heavy drinkers, heavy smokers (the children included) and frequently in trouble with the various authorities.

Josette’s secret goes unnoticed for 12 years until, scorned by Dr. Mavial for the final time following the death his wife, she gets even by revealing the shocking truth. Following that bombshell, the Le Quesnoy family adopt their long lost son, Momo (Benoît Magimel), and attempt to keep the truth from switched daughter Bernadette (Valérie Lalonde). However, it doesn’t take long before Momo is abusing the Le Quesnoys’ privileged status for the benefit of his ex-family and the Le Quesnoy children revert to their natural childlike urges spurred on by the Groseille children, behaving in a manner far from the expectations of their overbearing parents. The plot unravels as Momo, Bernadette and the two families struggle to adjust to the newfound dual identities of their offspring.

Life is a long quiet river is the perfect antidote to some of the more pretentious and often less accessible films that come out of France. The storyline is fast-paced and funny and the acting is of a high standard. Hélène Vincent, particularly, is excellent in her portrayal of Madame Le Quesnoy, the perfect, pious middle class French mum and Patrick Bouchitey also deserves credit as the wannabe rockstar Priest who provides yet another opportunity to make fun of the strict Catholic values of the Le Quesnoys.

Nominated for six César (French film) awards and winning four, the film was hugely successful and became something of a cult in France. The themes and humour however easily surpass the language barrier, mercilessly critiquing the snobberies and prejudices associated with class and the influence (or lack thereof) of genetics and upbringing in the formation of a child. As the film eloquently shows, life is anything but a long, quiet river. Life for the two families is more like riding out some pretty vicious rapids in an inflatable dinghy. With no paddles.

Last edited: 25th July 2009