Au bout des doigts (2018)

Directed by: Ludovic Bernard | 106 minutes | drama, romance | Actors: Jules Benchetrit, Kristin Scott Thomas, Lambert Wilson, Karidja Touré, Elsa Lepoivre, André Marcon, Michel Jonasz, Xavier Guelfi, Samen Télesphore Teunou, Vanessa David, Milo Mazé, Louise Labeque, Gaspard Meier-Chaurand, Alexandre Brik, Julian Maire , Louis Vazquez

You see and hear them more and more often: pianos in station halls or even on train platforms. In the French drama ‘Au bout des doigts’ we meet the young adult Mathieu (Jules Benchetrit) in this recognizable setting. He plays a classical piece with full dedication. There are few spectators, but one of crucial importance: Pierre Geithner (Lambert Wilson), a high-ranking member of the Paris Conservatory. Pierre is very impressed by Mathieus’ passionate play, but before he can make contact, the boy is smeared because the police are after him.

Mathieu turns out to be a barrel full of contradictions. Comes from a single-parent family, where mother has several jobs to make ends meet; friends who drag him down the wrong path… but at the same time there is that intense interest in and aptitude for making classical music. However, when Pierre finally makes contact with him, Mathieu shows no interest. Yet Pierre’s business card comes in handy when Mathieu is distracted by the piano in the building during a new burglary and is arrested as a result. Pierre arranges for the juvenile delinquent to get off with community service. And besides cleaning the conservatory, piano lessons from La comtesse (Kristin Scott Thomas on autopilot) are also on the schedule in no time.

Unfortunately, ‘Au bout des doigts’ never manages to surprise. Mathieu’s development (and also the predictable setback, even two!) is going according to expectations. The addition of romantic interest Anna (a wonderfully disarming Karidja Touré) also adds little tension to the story. In addition, Mathieu is very easy to bend. One conversation and his opinion has turned 180 degrees again. He’s a likeable boy, but he’s not strong enough to really empathize with him.

The film looks solid, the craftsmanship shines through, but here too it lacks its own vision. ‘Au bout des doigts’ is such a dime a dozen drama about a talented boy who gets a unique chance to make something of his life, throws that chance away again and finally – and that’s really no spoiler – receive thunderous applause.