Final Cut

Synopsis

Final Cut (original title: Coupez !) is a 2022 French-Japanese dark comedy directed by Michel Hazanavicius, starring Romain Duris. The film centers on Paul, a film editor who is assembling a documentary about a recently deceased widow named Michèle, who left instructions not to be shown on screen. When it emerges that Michèle's last wish may be at odds with the desires of the people around her—particularly her family and those who adored her—Paul finds himself entangled in a delicate balance of truth, memory, and ethics in filmmaking. As Paul edits the footage, the film explores themes of privacy, legacy, and the art of storytelling, blending humor with poignant moments. The movie cleverly juxtaposes French and Japanese cultures and film styles, yielding a meta-cinematic experience that plays with the boundaries between fact and fiction.

Cast

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  Romain Duris

  Rémi / Higurashi

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  Bérénice Bejo

  Nadia / Natsumi

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  Grégory Gadebois

  Philippe / Hosoda

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  Finnegan Oldfield

  Raphaël / Ken

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  Matilda Lutz

  Ava / Chinatsu

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  Raphaël Quenard

  Jonathan / Akira

Reviews

Critical reception to Final Cut has been mixed but generally positive. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a 71% approval rating, reflecting favorable reviews from many critics who appreciated its inventive narrative and playful approach to documentary ethics. Critics praised the film's clever script and Romain Duris's charismatic performance, noting the engaging meta-commentary on the power of film editing. For example, The Guardian highlighted the film as "a smart, witty exploration of film and memory, with compelling performances and a lively script." However, some reviewers pointed out pacing issues and felt the film's tone occasionally struggled to balance comedy and drama effectively. Metacritic assigned the movie a score of 51 out of 100, indicating mixed or average reviews. On IMDb, audience ratings average 6.3/10, showing that viewers were divided, with many enjoying the film's originality while others found it less accessible due to its nuanced themes and cross-cultural references. In summary, Final Cut is noted for its originality and intellectual charm, though its style may not resonate with all viewers.