Xavier Legrand's 'Custody' slowly reveals the horror of domestic violence. There isn't a quiet moment Xavier Legrand's Custody. On paper, that doesn't make sense—many of the scenes are punctuated with long silences, and there is no musical score. But the silence is a loaded weapon. The film pulsates with the imminent threat of violence; writ large in the characters' body language is evidence of past physical abuse and psychological control. Custody opens with a nearly 15-minute scene depicting a mediation hearing. Miriam (Léa Drucker) and Antoine (Denis Ménochet) are separated and vying for custody of their child, 11-year-old Julien (Thomas Gioria). The cold, clinical precision with which their respective lawyers present their cases belies the gravity of the situation: Mariam is accusing Antoine of domestic violence and considers him a danger to the child. Antoine, meanwhile, maintains that his history of spousal abuse has no bearing on his ability to parent. They are granted joint custody. Read More...
Published By: NoFilmSchool - Wednesday, 18 July, 2018