The Thorn in the Heart

Director Michel Gondry (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind) turns the lens toward his own relatives—in particular his Aunt Suzette, the clan's strong-willed matriarch, and her son, Jean-Yves—in this intimate documentary profile. Gondry joins Suzette in front of the camera on a tour of her past, visiting the sites in the south of France where she was a schoolteacher beginning in the 1950s, and chatting with colleagues and former students (including many children of Muslim immigrants) who still remember her dedication and generosity. Suzette's open-heartedness, however, wasn't extended to Jean-Yves, who bristles under her constant criticism and judgments. Along with the family story, Gondry also offers a glimpse into little-known rural cultures in the area (including that of the Harkis, the Algerian soldiers who settled in southern France after World War II). The compassionate director's own personality emerges in a series of whimsical touches, from toy trains that mark the chapters of Suzette's life to clever animated interludes. But while this contradictory sense of playfulness keeps the film buoyant even as Gondry delves into the thickets of interpersonal ties, it also ultimately mutes the overall dramatic impact of this small-scope documentary. Optional. [Note: DVD extras include a Q&A with filmmaker Michel Gondry at the 2010 SXSW Film Festival (36 min.), “A Brief History of the Harkis” on the real-life Algerian soldiers (15 min.), a “Techno Suzette” home movie (6 min.), actress Charlotte Gainsbourg's “Little Monsters” short (2 min.), a montage of “Calendars Doodled” (2 min.), stop motion animation by Valerie Pirson (2 min.), and trailers. Bottom line: a fine extras package for a disappointing documentary.] (S. Axmaker)