Director:

Gilles Legrand
Cast: Niels Arestrup, Lorant Deutsch, Patrick Chesnais, Anne Marivin, Nicolas Bridet, Valerie Mairesse
Rating: (M)
4 stars (out of 5)

How much brutality can be contained in a father's disappointment that his son does not share his exceptional wine palate? Well it turns out quite a lot. It might not be expressed physically, but You Will Be My Son (Rialto) turned out to be one of the most disturbing films I have seen recently.

On the surface, Paul de Marseul (Niels Arestrup) seems a charmer. Gregarious in his love of the fine wines his vineyard produces, the only problem disturbing the tranquillity of his days is the worry that his awkward son Martin (Lorant Deutsch) may not be up the job of taking over.

Yet, as the movie progresses, we start to notice that for all Paul's air of gentle forbearance towards Martin and his supposed failings he seems to be most energised by hunting down failings on Martin's part.

Martin seems resigned to being a disappointment.

He clearly knows from experience that no matter what, he will never measure up. The fragile equilibrium between father and son is upended when Francois (Patrick Chesnais), the estate's vintner becomes ill.

His son Philippe (Nicolas Bridet), a talented winemaker in his own right, returns from overseas and Paul decides that this is the son he was meant to have.

Best thing: Contained within the family dynamics is a master-class on the art of wine making.

Worst thing: As much as it had me on the edge of my seat it was too long.

See it with: Someone without daddy issues.

By Christine Powley.