Director:

Joan Chemla

Writers:

Joan Chemla, Santiago Amigorena

Stars:

Gael García Bernal, Marine Vacth, Nahuel Pérez Biscayart

The film begins with a lively wedding celebration where the audience is introduced to Daniel (Gael Garcia Bernal), a man reeling from grief from the death of his closest friend (shown multiple times in flashback, as if we need reminding) in an accident for which he feels partly responsible. He has been cast out of his insular traveller community.

Living in a rundown rooming house and always behind on rent, Daniel gets by through scams and minor burglaries. His building is populated by colourful misfits and losers, all living on the edge like him.When davidnmeets an equally damaged and fragile young woman, Francine (Vacth), life is then something to hope for.

If You Saw His Heart is based on Cuban author Guillermo Rosales’ 1987 novel Boarding Home (a.k.a. The Halfway House). Director Chemia creates the moody atmosphere of the living conditions that reflect Daniel’s feelings well, but the film suffers from continuity.

Her fond use of flashbacks and revealing the story in non-chronological order is not only confusing but breaks a mood or effect that has been created thus far.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_1kv27NBa0