Abel (Louis Garrel), a widowed ichthyologist, has just discovered that his sixty-year-old mother, Sylvie (Anouk Grinberg), has become engaged to Michel (Roschdy Zem), an about-to-be-released criminal she met while teaching a theatre class in prison. The devoted, if overprotective, son is understandably worried about his mother marrying a career crook, despite the assurance of his friend Clémence (Noémie Merlant) that Michel seems harmless. But when he meets his new stepfather, Abel realises that the seasoned ex-con may offer him an entirely new perspective on life.

Notes by David O’Mahony

IFI French Film Club: Tickets for the 18.20 screening on Monday 28th will cost €10.00 for IFI and Alliance Française members.