In This Life of Mine, one woman’s world fractures under the weight of crisis

Reading Time: 4 minutes

Middle age comes for us all, but in This Life of Mine, it arrives like an unexpected guest—disruptive, demanding, and refusing to be ignored.

Agnès Jaoui (Place Publique, AF FFF19) is compelling as Barberie “Barbie” Bichette, a 55 year old woman going through a mid-life crisis. Her daughter Rose (Angelina Woreth, Love Songs for Tough Guys, AFFFF 21) doesn’t see her any more, and her son Junior (Édouard Sulpice, The Crime is Mine, Happening from AFFFF 2022) only pops in when he needs something. She hates her job and dislikes what she sees when she looks in the mirror.

The description both in the festival program guide and on the UniFrance website is that this is “a journey of rediscovery as she escapes to the Scottish Highlands to reclaim her spirit and sense of self”. While that is something that happens in the film, it’s a bit misleading to say the film is about that when it isn’t until 76 minutes into the 99 minute film that she heads off.

What is more accurate is that this film is about a woman who is lost, and despondent in her mid 50s, who experiences a depression that hospitalises her before she ultimately gets her taste for life back. About 30 minutes of the film is the chapter on her mental health crisis.

The film is also billed as a dramedy but apart from the first chapter of the film, there is very little comedy at all. That’s not to say that it is a miserable film however. Rather that the description feels a little misleading.

The director Sophie Fillières (writer of My Best Part, screenplay and adaptation for Claire Darling) sadly passed away shortly after filming wrapped up, and the film was finalised by her daughters. The film was very well received at the Quinzaine des cinéastes at Cannes last year, with many praising it for its treatment of a subject not often given cinematic treatment – mid-life women.

Agnes Jaoui gives her all to the role and is compelling as Barberie Bichette. The makeup is pared back, the camera front on, giving her very little place to hide. Jaoui masterfully embodies the fragile state of Barberie’s character, offering a performance that is deeply poignant, and at times light despite the subject matter.

As Barberbie’s cold-hearted daughter, Angelina Woreth’s performance is very convincing as the character who, with a piercing, clinical eye, evaluates her mother. Her icy judgment and lack of compassion turn every word into an unwelcome critique. Philippe Katerine plays himself in a tiny cameo and wrote the music for the film. Also in a cameo role is Valérie Donzelli who plays Barberie’s sister.

This Life of Mine is a film bolstered by strong performances, especially from Agnès Jaoui. It offers a poignant exploration of a subject rarely depicted on screen: a woman navigating the complexities of a midlife crisis. If you enjoy films that delve into the emotional depth of character-driven stories, particularly those exploring the struggles of midlife and self-discovery, This Life of Mine will resonate deeply.

3.5 CROISSANTS

Matilda Marseillaise watched a screener of the film.

This life of mine was released in France in September 2024 under the title Ma vie, Ma gueule.

KEY INFO FOR THE ALLIANCE FRANÇAISE FILM FESTIVAL 2025

WHAT: Alliance Française French Film Festival 2025

WHERE & WHEN:

19/03 – 23/04 – ADELAIDE
06/03 – 08/04 – BRISBANE
06/03 – 02/04 – BALLARAT, VIC
08/03 – 02/04 – BALLINA, NSW
11/03 – 13/03 – BENDIGO, VIC
07/03 – 02/04 – BYRON BAY, NSW
06/03 – 09/04 – CANBERRA
25/03 – 15/04 – GOLD COAST
03/04 – 13/04 – HOBART
05/03 – 09/04 – MELBOURNE
03/04 – 06/04 – MOUNT GAMBIER, SA
13/03 – 16/04 – PERTH
26/03 – 31/03 – RENMARK, SA
04/03 – 09/04 – SYDNEY
02/04 – 09/04 – VICTOR HARBOR, SA
04/03 – 06/04 – PARRAMATTA, NSW
10/04 – 13/04 – BUNBURY, WA
12/04 – 21/04 – WARRAWONG, NSW