Mélanie Laurent Shines in Combat! What Audiences Think of Joséphine Japy’s Directorial Debut

Unveiled at the Croisette during the last Cannes Film Festival, “Shining in Battle” marks Joséphine Japy’s directorial debut in a feature film. She draws from her own personal experiences, focusing on the relationship with her sister, who is affected by a rare genetic condition known as Phelan-McDermid syndrome. The film features Pierre-Yves Cardinal, known from “Simple as Sylvain”, Angelina Woreth (“Their Children After Them”), Sarah Pachoud (“Fatherly”), and Mélanie Laurent, who previously cast Joséphine Japy in a notable role in “Breathe” in 2014.

Bertille, the youngest Roussier sibling, lives with a severe disability under an uncertain diagnosis. Her parents and older sister strive to maintain a delicate balance, constantly threatened. When a new diagnosis emerges, their everyday life is shaken, paving the way for an unexpected future.

Has Joséphine Japy’s first film, inspired by a personal story, resonated with the audience?

On AlloCiné, the film currently holds an average rating of 4.3 out of 5, based on 102 ratings and 48 reviews.

A Must-See Film

Audiences unanimously praise the precision of this debut feature film by Joséphine Japy. Beyond the meticulous direction, the filmmaker is distinguished by her accurate actor direction and apt casting. Addressing a powerful subject with delicacy and sensitivity, the film is widely regarded as an essential work to discover.

Pdefrag (5/5): “Compelling, moving, beautiful! Rarely have I felt so much emotion in a film. Total immersion. Just over an hour and you come out with a new perspective on disability and life moving forward. Bravo to the actors, and Mélanie Laurent (clap clap! ), Sarah in the role of the little sister (maybe an Oscar?)! A must-see!!“

Gourvil Eliott (5/5): “A beautiful film about disability but especially about a family dealing with disability: being a couple, being a teenager, building oneself, etc. Moreover, for a first film, it’s strong: real work on the direction, a camera that takes its time, very controlled.“

Jean-Baptiste Pasquier (5/5): “Great film that deals with a rarely addressed subject with a lot of realism. Moreover, the successful choice of lead (and supporting) actors gives the film an overdose of accuracy. We become aware of the family’s struggle. No heaviness or overload, extremely rare for a film about disability. Bravo!“

Richard Tzipine (4.5/5): “Seen in preview… a great emotion without ever falling into sentimentality. A beautiful movie about a topic that affects nearly one in seven families in France. A film full of hope and strength.“

Rémy LE BIHAN (4/5): “A very beautiful film full of sensitivity and superbly performed. What a joy to see Pierre-Yves Cardinal again after Simple as Sylvain! And Mélanie Laurent always at her best!“

Mixed Reviews

Some viewers remain lukewarm about this first film, pointing out certain weaknesses, including some slow parts and, conversely, topics that are sometimes too lightly touched upon. A promising debut feature film, but one that still struggles to find the right balance and fully master its pacing.

Traversay1 from Club Allociné (3/5): “The film doesn’t always find its balance between moments of crisis and calms, or the sidelines of the central subject, but the ensemble maintains constant dignity, avoiding as much as possible any pathos. How to describe Sarah Pachoud’s performance? Simply incredible, while Mélanie Laurent and Angelina Woreth match her level, never yielding to potential overacting. ‘Shining in Battle’ often hurts, but it emits a light and a breath worth sharing.“

In Summary

Moving and promising, this first feature film also impresses with the accurate performances of Sarah Pachoud, Mélanie Laurent, and Angelina Woreth. However, some viewers note the film’s slow parts and sometimes superficial treatment of certain themes.

‘Shining in Battle’ is currently in theaters.