An ordinary Case

An Ordinary Case, directed, co-written and starring Daniel Auteuil, is a courtroom drama in which Auteuil plays Jean Monier, a disillusioned lawyer who becomes emotionally involved in a seemingly ordinary, but highly complex case. Jean Monier, charged with defending Nicolas Milik (played by Grégory Gadebois), a seemingly nice man accused of murdering his wife, finds himself drawn into a web of family dynamics and legal subtleties that challenge his perception of justice and morality. The film is a methodical dissection of the French justice system, using the three-day trial in January 2020 as its narrative backbone, interspersed with flashbacks that illuminate the lives of the characters involved.

This is the Daniel Auteuil's fifth directorial effort, and it is marked by a meticulous, if somewhat labored, attention to procedural detail. The screenplay, based on the writings of the late Jean-Yves Moyart, offers a narrative rich in character studies, but at times weighed down by its own seriousness. Daniel Auteuil's performance as Jean Monier is nuanced, capturing the lawyer's transition from cynicism to conviction, although the film's pace and structure sometimes hinder the potential impact of this transformation.

Grégory Gadebois delivers a convincing performance as Nicolas Milik, portraying him as a beleaguered father caught in a tragic situation, his innocence or guilt a constant point of tension. The description of Nicolas Milik's life, in particular his interactions with his children and his troubled marriage, provides a humanizing counterpoint to the courtroom scenes. Despite the excellent performances, the courtroom sequences themselves lack the dramatic flair one might expect from a legal thriller, with Monier's defense strategies and courtroom maneuvers appearing unconvincing.

Comparisons with Justine Triet's Anatoy of a fall, another recent French legal drama, are inevitable. While Daniel Auteuil's film has its merits, it doesn't achieve the same level of narrative sophistication or emotional resonance. The non-linear structure, meant to add complexity, sometimes feels more like an obstacle than a narrative device, leading to a fragmented visual experience.

The film's score, dominated by classical music, further accentuates the traditional, somewhat static approach to filmmaking. Despite these drawbacks, An ordinary Case remains captivating, thanks in large part to its strong cast, notably Sidse Babett Knudsen as Jean Monier's colleague and partner, who brings depth to this secondary role. The film's conclusion, a shocking twist, may seem contrived to some viewers, emphasizing the manipulative aspects of the narrative rather than providing any real emotional payoff.

An ordinary Case is a solid courtroom drama that showcases Daniel Auteuil's strengths as an actor and director, but is somewhat let down by a script that doesn't fully exploit its dramatic potential. The film will probably find its most appreciative audience among those familiar with the source material and fans of French legal dramas, although it may struggle to leave a lasting impression in a genre crowded with more dynamic entries.

An ordinary Case
Directed by Daniel Auteuil
Produced by Nelly Auteuil, Daniel Auteuil, Hugo Gélin 
Written by Steven Mitz, Daniel Auteuil
Based on the Jean-Yves Moyart'book o
Starring Grégory Gadebois, Daniel Auteuil, Sidse Babett Knudsen, Alice Belaïdi, Gaëtan Roussel, Isabelle Candelier, Suliane Brahim, Laurent Bozzi, Aurore Auteuil, Jean-Noël Brouté, Nathalie Dodivers Cécile Milik
Music by Gaspar Claus
Cinematography : Jean-François Hensgens
Edited by Valérie Deseine            
Production companies: France 2 Cinéma, Zazi Films, Zack Films, Zinc Film 
Distributed by Zinc Film (France)
Release date : September 11 2024 (France)
Running time : 115 minutes

Seen May 24, 2024 at Gaumont Opéra Premier, Room 1

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