Best French Film of the Year Wins at César, Scores 4.1 from Viewers!

Carine Tardieu’s “L’Attachement” was a big winner! At the 51st César Awards held on the evening of Thursday, February 26th, the film took home three prizes: Best Film, Best Supporting Actress for Vimala Pons, and Best Adapted Screenplay for Carine Tardieu, Raphaële Moussafir, and Agnès Feuvre.

Based on the novel “L’Intimité” by Alice Ferney, published by Actes Sud in 2020, the feature film follows Sandra, a fiercely independent woman in her fifties who suddenly and unwillingly shares the intimate life of her next-door neighbor and his two children. Unexpectedly, she gradually becomes attached to this makeshift family.

Fourth Favorite French Film Among Viewers

Starring Valeria Bruni-Tedeschi, Pio Marmai, Vimala Pons, Raphaël Quenard, and young César Botti, the movie, released in February 2025, attracted 779,092 moviegoers and received an average audience rating of 4.1 stars out of 5.

It ranks as the fourth favorite French film on the AlloCiné user charts, trailing behind the documentary “Personne n’y comprend rien” (rated 4.4), “Je suis toujours là” (4.2), and “La Venue de l’avenir” (4.2).

This emotionally intense film about the bonds that connect people has captivated audiences, as evidenced by 336 out of 493 reviews giving it at least 4 stars, making up more than 68% of excellent ratings. “L’Attachement” is not only the highest-rated film in Tardieu’s directorial career but also her most attended, drawing 779,092 viewers since its debut.

A Film That Never Dips into Melodrama

Audiences praise the performances, especially those of Valeria Bruni-Tedeschi and Pio Marmaï, who were nominated for Best Actress and Best Actor at the Césars, as well as the supporting cast and young César Botti.

Tardieu’s understated and delicate direction is also highly appreciated, along with the script’s subtlety, which adeptly tackles themes of mourning, rebuilding, and various forms of attachment. Generally, the public praises the film’s tone, which handles tragedy with humanity and optimism, never veering into melodrama.

For instance, Donniedarko1 wrote, “An exceptional role for Valeria Bruni-Tedeschi showcasing her acting skills like never before. A modest, funny, and touching film.”

Juan 75 commented, “A sheer marvel. A film that floats above it all. The characters and script are unexpected and smart. The situations steer clear of caricature and ease. The direction follows the characters lovingly, and the close-ups on faces are profoundly human.”

Willi Cicci adds, “In this free adaptation by Alice Ferney, Carine Tardieu opts for a counterintuitive choice with the brilliant Pio Marmaï and Valeria Bruni Tedeschi. Unlike their usual roles, their restrained, simple, serene acting slowly reveals a touching truth about people’s lives. The emotion is omnipresent yet never overbearing. A true masterpiece that lingers long after…”

Hélène Deligny says, “A rare film about unexpected encounters that reveal new and unexpected emotions… Treated with accuracy and delicacy.”

Our interview with Pio Marmaï for the release of L’Attachement

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