Written by Elise Mullen, Photo courtesy of SCAD
What if one day you woke up in your New York apartment, to the news that your mother, who still resides in your childhood home, in France, has published a book of memoirs, including many stories from your childhood? Ones that upon further investigation, are completely falsified. “The Truth,” written and directed by HiroKazu Koreeda, explores a mother daughter relationship dealing with just that.
The story begins in France after Fabienne, an aged French movie star, published her book of memoirs that revolve around her younger years, and the years raising her daughter, Lumir. A naive Lumir flies to France with her young daughter and husband (who happens to be an American actor, one who Fabienne deems “unqualified” and “imitative,” which no doubt tests to her character’s stubborn nature). The reasoning for their trip overseas is simply to celebrate Fabienne’s book release. However, Lumir is quickly taken back when she reads the book and realizes the childhood her mother has described, a happy, normal one, which included a hands-on mother. This version could not been farther from the truth of what she thought about her upbringing.
Throughout the dramatic reunion and confrontation between mother and daughter, Lumir begins to question the reasoning behind her mother’s lie. Her mother, no doubt, is growing older in the film world, and has a reputation she is tirelessly trying to upkeep. But no reputation is worth testing and stretching the bond between a mother and her daughter, or so Lumir believes. It leaves the audience to question Fabienne’s integrity as a mother and an actress.
The underlying message of the film becomes obvious, even with the movie being spoken in mostly French (accompanied by English subtitles). It asks the audience to consider truth in more ways than one. Is it possible that both sides of the story inside of this conflicting mother-daughter relationship are true?
It calls into question the credibility behind truth and whether or not there are ever good times to stretch the truth? Despite its possibility to upset ones closest to you, especially your daughter. Is your reputation important enough to put down others to protect yourself? It’s a tough question to answer, because it’s hard to put yourself into the shoes of somebody who believes that is their reality. Where they are so desperate for good praises on their behalf, they don’t care if they take down their own family.
This beautifully contemplated mess of a plot that Koreeda has produced is no stranger to other work he has completed. According to the Harvard Film Archive, director Koreeda’s films, “reflect the contemplative style and pacing of such luminaries as Hou Hsiao-hsien and Tsai Ming-liang.”
So, I pose the question, how far into the rabbit hole of falsification would you go if it were to help your reputation in the end? Would you care about hurting those around you? I urge you to watch “The Truth” and witness first hand how subtle lies can take a grand effect on those closest to you.
