Ricky by François Ozon

François Ozon has already shown his fondness for Hitchcockian suspense in the masterful burlesquecomedy 8 Women and the intriguing thriller Swimming Pool. His latest piece, a fantasy tale and social drama all-in-one, continues in this vein, though in a somewhat unexpected manner.

Inspired by a short story by English author Rose Tremain, Ricky tells the story of an ordinary family caught up in extraordinary circumstances. The first part, if a little prolonged, gives a skilfully realistic portrayal of the working class in a northern French industrial town, dealing chiefly with the themes of isolation, love and estrangement. The second, much more dynamic but also much more baffling, takes a decidedly different turn, leaving spectators shocked and charmed at the same time.

The overall impression is one of considerable artistic force coupled with childish playfulness, as the director makes use of an array of sophisticated special effects. Convincing performances by the leading actors, Alexandra Lamy, Sergi Lopez and Mélusine Mayance, add to the viewer’s experience.

Unfortunately though, at times it seems that the Kafkaesque metamorphosis making Ricky so “different” brings no deeper dimension to the film - yet it is certainly what Ozon aimed for. As though the director, in the whirl of special effects, forgot that the baby’s unusual fate should be a means and not a goal in itself.

Dominika Uhríková