This is a moody and frank story of an Australian couple and how relationships change when the husband falls in love with his wife's sister. Lisa Harrow is the pent-up wife of J.P.(Bruno Ganz)and Kerry Fox is Vicki the younger sister and temptress. I saw this on IFC and was really reeled in with the straight forward atmosphere and personal subject matter. Cinematography is super and the Australian accents cool and pleasing. This is a powerful drama; and well deserved kudos for director Gillian Armstrong.
11 Reviews
What happens when you realize you don't like the people you love?
=G=30 March 2001
"...Chez Nous" looks at this compelling question through the life of one Aussie woman who's self esteem is constantly undermined by the men in her life. This film is a psychodramatic, realistic, and intelligent look at the clockworks of a nuclear family held together more by mutual need than love and respect. The camera studies the slow disintegration of the family unit and the rebirth of Beth (Harrow), the principle character. Well made, earnest, honest, and insightful. An interesting watch for more mature audiences.
Terrifically acted study of a family
runamokprods14 April 2011
Full of wonderfully acted, beautifully observed moments in the life of an unconventional family, this was called, by one critic, 'an Australian 'Hannah and her Sisters'. And to an extent that's not a bad description.
But this film is messier, less complete in it's vision and less bold in it's style. None-the less it's still entertaining, moving, and very worth seeing.
Bruno Ganz's half French, half German accent is a bit distracting (he's terrific otherwise), and, for me, the ending felt rushed, as if things had to get to a conclusion.
It's a film I'd actually wished had gone on longer, or had been willing to leave things less resolved. Once you start with the messiness of life, you lose something with a last minute switch to the neatness of movies.
But this film is messier, less complete in it's vision and less bold in it's style. None-the less it's still entertaining, moving, and very worth seeing.
Bruno Ganz's half French, half German accent is a bit distracting (he's terrific otherwise), and, for me, the ending felt rushed, as if things had to get to a conclusion.
It's a film I'd actually wished had gone on longer, or had been willing to leave things less resolved. Once you start with the messiness of life, you lose something with a last minute switch to the neatness of movies.
Forget "smart","edgey",or "strong women"(?), try plain old GOOD!
Onyx-1016 June 2000
I liked My Brilliant Career back in 1980, but after seeing this effort from the brilliant turned masterful Ms Armstrong I suspect that its traditional feminist message ("I won't give up my dreams for a man") made it more palatable for the times. Chez Nous doesn't let you off the hook so easily. What I found so compelling is its gentle but firm refusal to adopt a condescending attitude towards the characters or the audience. I rented this film with Jane Campion's Sweetie, which I found audaciously weird but riveting, in fact I now own Sweetie. Like Chez Nous, it deals with heroines and their family relationships, particularly involving sisters and to some degree, fathers. Both films are from the same part of the world. I was happy to find a used copy of Sweetie a few months after seeing it, but I watched Chez Nous twice before returning it, and that's the highest recommendation I can give.
ozzy film. pretty good!
ksf-217 December 2019
Last Days -- Lisa Harrow and Kerry Fox star in this story of family dynamics in Australia. Vicki returns home to live with Beth, but Beth already has a french speaking man living with her. There's lots of laughter and fun, but there are deeper issues way down deep. Cracks in the seams of Beth and JP's relationship, but before it can be worked out, she goes on a road trip with her dad. but which mice will play while the cat's away ? and can she get along with a grouchy, complaining old man who keeps picking fights? It's an ozzy film, so everyone in here is quite quirky. things get sad and serious when relationships start to break down. some sadness, but it's fun for the most part. showing on netflix. pretty good stuff.
Subtle powerful drama with a comic touch.
howardross2 June 2000
This film is a favorite gem. It is Bergman like in its convincing depiction of family relationships and emotions. It's a very round presentation of life - it shows the comedy and pettyness. You really feel the air of grief in the family. The cinematography is crystal clear - as if the family is being studied under glass. It mostly takes place at home but there's a liberating road trip.
If you like character study dramas what this one.
If you like character study dramas what this one.
Well well...
mirsinilioliou6 May 2020
An Australian writer's husband cheats on her with her sister. It is a story of what drives people and how they cope with fitting in to society as well as their own family.
dylaneb3 July 2007
Warning: Spoilers
This film is more mature than others but still evokes a great story. The cinematography is incredible. Each camera movement and frame was thought out carefully to the very last detail making every shot artistic. I recommend this movie for any film students! The actors in this film are not A list celebrities which I think is great because while their acting is superb, their popularity status does not detract from the film's story and delivery. As far as independent films go, this one is very well done and an excellent example of what film making is all about. This is clearly some of Geoffrey Simpson's best work as a cinematographer.
Overacting
ireneharrison-8388515 August 2020
Still think about it 20 years later
acertainblue-8533422 October 2019
Not only an interesting study of different family/personal dynamics but so atmospheric - I felt as if I was in that city (Melbourne?), & kind of fell in love with it. The film is sad, beautiful, funny & realistic. To this day, I find myself uttering "This haircut is over!" (in an Australian accent); Kerry Fox /Vicki's typically understated way of saying she feels terrible after a break up. Kind of an indie classic.
Memorable family falling apart film
edgeofreality29 September 2020
Beautifully photographed and directed film, contrasting a family home with the outback, and characters trapped as much by themselves as by those around them. The road trip does not liberate the woman much, though she gets to learn her dad's views on God. Good acting all round, especially Harrow and Hunter, this is purely character driven, and what is predictable about it would be equally so in life. I liked the later scenes where the French husband begins to see his error. (One thing though: when they got the German Bruno Ganz why not change the character to German too?)
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