Emotional Arithmetic

I'm not sure what I think about this dark piece of work based on the Matt Coen novel and directed by Paolo Barzman. It deals with the story of three survivors of Drancy, a detainment camp near Paris which was used as a holding area before it's Jewish occupants were shipped to the various death centres. To say the subject matter is dark is taking it lightly and while this is one of the main themes there is the other on the effect this reunion has on a lady's immediate family. There is some top notch acting to be seen here from the likes of Susan Sarandon, in her most serious role since DEAD MAN WALKING, Gabriel Byrne and Max von Sydow. Christopher Plummer all but steals the film with his portrayal of the cantankerous retired history professor and Roy Dupuis of JESUS OF MONTREAL and MAURICE RICHARD fame lends a wonderful side bar to the proceedings. When I say I'm not sure what I think of EMOTIONAL ARITHMETIC I am thinking this is one of those novels better left to the printed word rather than a moving picture and while the visuals, especially the scenic Quebec landscapes, and a feast for the eyes the story itself is plodding and cumberson. Well worth a viewing on DVD but you can save your twelve bucks at the cinema.