Just what I expected

Although it has its amusing moments, in eneral the plot does not convince.

Fanciful, disturbing, and wildly original, it announces the arrival of a fresh, bold voice in American cinema.

There's no way I can possibly love it entirely but I just think its ridiculously bad, but enjoyable at the same time.

Alessandro (Stefano Corsi) is an easygoing widowed teacher who can't bear to give low marks in oral exams. He prefers to play his students bumptious tarantellas and dance on his desk. He lives with his eccentric misfit brother (another Italian) and 15 year-old daughter. He has known several gorgeous women (we meet them) and has more in his daily life, but none is able to pin him down. He reads books to hospital patients, one of them an ageing beauty Agathe (Anouk Aimee) who is alienated from her daughter. Finally, after a lot of comic business, some funny, some not-so, Agathe dies and her daughter Florence (Clotilde Courau) attends the funeral. We have to suspend disbelief as Alessandro falls for her, and eventually she attends a concert given by the ensemble he sings with. (Three samples of its music by Christina Pluhar are lovely.) It's a touching ending but wanting credibility because we know so little about Florence. Anyway, this movie has bags of charm with the two Italian brothers feuding in their native language amidst the lovely architecture of Strasbourg, and writer/director Philippe Claudel deserves credit.

I am french, and I love my French movies. This one is a little bit special and will bring to you so many way to see it. It could be seen as a comedy of life and in that respect every actors plays a typical type of character and does not move from it but at the end except the main character. It could be seen as just a comedy and you will laugh at the dialog. It could be seen as a reflective movie about ourselves... which character represents the best of us. It could be seen as an interesting point of introduction to the baroque culture... It could be seen as simply as a story... and what a beautiful story. There is no murder, neither sex scene as such or violence in this movie except may be some verbal fight between daughter and father, or two brothers. It does not represents anybody in particular but sure one of the character will represent you. As the title says in french: "Tous les Soleils", one sun is yours. Which one will you be. The story take place in France in modern days, and follows a professor struggling in life with his daughter and brother. That is all I will say about the story line, anything else will be spoiling this wonderful movie. I know some french will says: "this is no French movie" and will pin point so many fault in it and eventually destroy it, but this movie is not made to make you think, or may be will make you think later... way later. Like a good wine it takes time to mature and by re watching it I just appreciate it more and this is what I am writing this review. If you do accept this movies as is you will love it, if you starts to watch it to see any errors it may contains avoid it. Most of all if you want to enjoy a fresh comedy that will bring you a bit of fresh air in the world of "you must think French (not)" to watch the movie go watch this movie. I loved it, every single bit of it... Nothing to compare with some other movies like "Amour" but so much to it it will open many discussion and debate about life viewed with child eyes... child eyes of the realisator : Claudel.

Alessandro, a Strasbourg university music professor has mourned the death of his wife for quite some time. Having emigrated to France, he finds himself living with his daughter Irina and his eccentric brother Luigi, a recluse who refuses to leave the apartment until the then Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi has been deposed. As the story begins, we follow Alessandro to his class at the local university. An Italian by birth, Alessandro has adjusted well to his adoptive country, something he shares with his vast circle of friends.There is another side to the professor. He brings joy to patients at a local hospital who are battling different diseases. Agathe, an older woman, enjoys Alessandro's visits as well as his reading to her. She appears to be quite sick with cancer. Their bond is quite strong, to the point the dying Agathe entrusts him a letter to be given to her own estranged daughter, Florence. We see Alessandro offering to read to an older man who is not interested in the classic texts he carries; he wants to hear sexy stories, which bring a smile to his face. Alessandro's daughter Irina is a teenager with her own problems. Luigi tries helping make things better between Alessandro and her. Luigi, on the other hand is a bit tires of watching his brother not get involved romantically again. He decides to conspire with Irina is impersonating him in a date site on the internet. Lo and behold, they pick a colleague at the university, who realizes it is Alessandro from the start. Irina finds romance, even though her father is not too happy with her choice. Finally, Alessandro finds he has really enjoyed meeting Florence. Unknown to him, Luigi and Irina make the right movements to get them together.Philippe Claudel the creator of "Tous Les Soleils" gives us an amazing view of decent man who is dealing with his own pain in ways that are completely unselfish. In addition from making an impression on his musical students, he wants them to profit from what he has to teach them. His compensates what he is lacking in his life, the sadness in his heart, by giving himself to help others less fortunate than him. In this day, one wishes there would be more people like Alessandro in this world.His own life is dedicated to giving Irina, his daughter, the best he knows how. His relationship with his anarchist brother Luigi is good natured, in spite of the irritation he gets by watching his sibling waste his life in useless projects. His relationship with Agathe, the dying older woman is that of a mother and son. He mourns her death, while at the same time, finding an unexpected interest in the daughter of her beloved friend.M. Claudel directs with a sure hand. His tale is quite credible as it rings true. We know people like these, although Alessandro is luckier in that he has found fulfillment in helping others. Stefano Accorso, the Italian actor, now firmly enjoying another film career in France, shows why he is one of the most charismatic performers in European films. He has an easy way to project manliness and honesty. Neri Marcore and Lisa Cipriani are seen as Luigi and Irina. Both do excellent work for M. Claudel. The film is graced by Anouk Aime, who at this stage of her life radiates sweetness and dignity as Agathe. Clothilde Coureau makes a good impression with her Florence. The supporting cast is wonderful as well.One of the achievements of M. Claudel is in the use of music. It makes sense since Alessandro is involved in teaching it. Chrisina Pluhar contributes with most of the music one hears in the score. Denis Lenoir, the cinematographer takes us all over the beautiful city of Strasbourg and some surrounding areas in clear images that mix well with the story. Philippe Claudel proves he is a talent worth following.

This is my first movie review, written because I was disappointed with the low ratings by IMDb viewers. It would be a shame if other viewers were dissuaded from seeing this totally absorbing, fast - paced, funny film. "Tous Les Soleils" has many defining moments where the lead actor is presented by the director in multiple interactions with his daughter, live-in brother, friends, colleagues and yes, his dead wife. We join him in his daily routines over what seem to be a few summer months, watching his blunders, confusion, passion and triumphs. I was captivated from the opening scene with this young widower, competently and joyfully winding his way through city streets on his moped. His teaching episodes with his classes of students are joyful, animated demonstrations of his love for baroque music. I was touched by his work with hospital patients and bonded with him in his single parent travails with his teenage daughter. The film has so many attractive, convincing characters to complement the always - engaging lead actors. The backdrop of Strasbourg (we found out later in the film) and countryside is magical and the musical score is perfect. I laughed out loud at the various schemes of the zany brother to protest the "system", including his self-exile in his brother's apartment until the fall of Berlusconi in their native Italy. The combined efforts of our widower's brother, daughter and friends to "match make" are audaciously funny. We share our lead actor's reactions to his daughter growing up, with the transformation of her taking the role of adult in the father - daughter relationship. Yes, ten out of ten is my rating. "Tous Les Soleils" is a superbly acted and produced film.