Adieu Berthe – Adieu Berthe – L’enterrement de mémé (2012)

Directed by: Bruno Podalydes | 96 minutes | comedy | Actors: Denis Podalydès, Valérie Lemercier, Isabelle Candelier, Catherine Hiegel, Michel Vuillermoz, Bruno Podalydès, Samir Guesmi, Pierre Arditi, Benoît Hamon, Emeline Bayart, Michel Robin, Judith Magre, Lola Arnaud-Lefebvre, Vimala Pons

A death in the family is usually not to be trifled with. Director Bruno Podalydès nevertheless uses a tragic death as a stepping stone for a film about bereavement. Anyone who expects a mild touch of compassion is well worth the effort. Podalydès waltzes over the viewer like a bulldozer, crammed with bad jokes and idiotic dialogues. ‘Adieu Berthe’ is a gaudy and unpleasant talk film. One that the French have a patent on.

When Armand’s grandmother dies, he has to take care of the funeral. The pharmacist has something else on his mind. While he is seriously tying his wife on, the immature male romps with a mistress. He lacks the guts to make a choice for the time being. Psychologists would classify this as a midlife crisis. We call it a lack of responsibility. It certainly doesn’t make him any more likable.

Denis Podalydès, brother of the director, plays a particularly annoying Armand and behaves like a third-rate Louis de Funès. His colleagues also get bogged down in theatrical drawing and acting like idiots. The casting manager can seriously scratch his head. With a weak screenplay and ditto actors, there isn’t much left to enjoy. The representation of the funeral companies could straighten something out, but it turns out to be a dead end. The funeral industry is apparently big business. Do you prefer the ultra-modern Définitif or the disorganized Obsecool? Unfortunately, this subplot also hits the characters’ ridiculous behavior.

Humor is often a catalyst that can ease the pain. But then this must be used in the right dose. It’s an art to be witty at the right time. Unfortunately Podalydès does not have this gift. He confuses sophistication with vulgarity and nonsense. The sad low point is therefore a particularly poorly written and performed eulogy. It points to a painful lack of talent and vision.