The latest offering from renowned French director André Téchiné, “My New Friends” (Les Gens d’à côté), premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival’s Panorama sidebar. Despite its good intentions, the film struggles to captivate audiences with its unconvincing narrative and strained storytelling.
Starring the talented Isabelle Huppert as Lucie, a grieving police officer who finds herself living next door to an anti-police activist, the film explores timely and relevant themes but fails to deliver a compelling story. Téchiné, known for his acclaimed works such as “My Favorite Season” and “Wild Reeds,” has had a mixed track record in recent years, with “My New Friends” being his latest addition to a series of underwhelming films.
The film follows Lucie as she grapples with the suicide of her colleague, Slimane, while trying to resume her normal life. Her world is turned upside down when a new family moves in next door, including Julia (Hafsia Herzi), a caring teacher, and Yann (Nahuel Pérez Biscayart), a talented artist and committed activist. As Lucie becomes closer to her new neighbors, she struggles to reconcile her identity as a police officer with her growing friendship with Yann, whose political activities put him at odds with the law.
One of the film’s central conflicts revolves around Lucie’s decision to hide her profession from her neighbors, a choice that strains credibility and undermines the film’s narrative. Despite Huppert’s strong performance, the film fails to establish her character as a believable police officer, relying instead on contrived plot devices and unrealistic scenarios.
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The film also suffers from technical shortcomings, including shaky handheld photography and disjointed editing, which detract from its overall impact. While “My New Friends” attempts to address important issues such as personal and professional commitments, political beliefs, and coping with trauma, it does so in a superficial and unconvincing manner.
In conclusion, “My New Friends” is a well-intentioned film that ultimately falls short of its ambitions. Despite its talented cast and timely themes, the film’s flawed execution and lackluster storytelling prevent it from leaving a lasting impression. As Téchiné’s latest work, “My New Friends” may disappoint fans expecting the same level of excellence found in his earlier films.