If you can create a more interesting character than Thomas Seyr, the protagonist in the French film "The Beat That My Heart Skipped," please write it down and hop on a bus to Hollywood immediately. Of course, I didn't know at the time of seeing this film that is a remake of a much more grimy and low-budget James Toback film, his 1978 debut "Fingers" starring Harvey Keitel. But this won't matter to the other casual viewers of the film either. There is a wonderful character and story here and, even though it is a remake, it seems utterly fresh and modern and unique.

Thomas is a man in flux, drawn between the two opposing ends of his upbringing, his mother's refined artistry and his father's brutish thuggery. At first, we find Thomas immersed in the latter, a modern-day slumlord who uses despicable methods to deal with his tenants and squatters. But as he evolves during the course of the film into a man attempting to better his plot in life, we see past his rough facade and deep into his longing soul. His story becomes a allegory for all life on planet Earth as we struggle to move from brutal, masculine Darwanism to a more thoughtful, sophisticated cultural ideal.

Romain Duris ("L'auberge espagnole") is phenomenal as Thomas. This is a performance that reaches out and grabs you. There is much texture and many layers to Thomas and his story and Duris is adept at hitting each moment, each idea squarely on the head. Equally interesting is Neils Arestrup as Thomas' fat, aged, myopic, brutish father. Recalling the latter years of Marlon Brando, Arestrup provides a sweltering cesspool of a character that we still manage to understand and sympathize with. This is aided, of course, by Duris' performance as the son who both idolizes and despises him.

The dark Parisian nightlife is viewed both slickly and sickly by the film and we become engrossed in the story quite easily. The direction by Jacques Audiard is taut when necessary and yet human and real when needed. The editing here is perfection and we get several realistic and interesting glimpses into all of Thomas' lives. "The Beat That My Heart Skipped" is an interesting and unique film. Don't miss it.

Notes:

In French with English subtitles, sparse English and, also sparsely, an Asian language without subtitles.

The film has a wonderful and eclectic set of songs, including some electronica. The score by Alexandre Desplat won a Silver Bear at the Berlin Film Festival where it debuted in February 2005.

Released in the USA by Wellspring in June of 2005.

Viewed at The Arbor in Austin in September 2005.

Report Card

Script: A+

Acting: A+

Cinematography\Lighting: A+

Special Effects\Make Up: A+

Music: A+

Final Grade: A+