We Love You, You Bastard

Synopsis

"We Love You, You Bastard" (original title: "Salaud, on t'aime") is a 2014 French drama directed by Claude Lelouch, featuring Johnny Hallyday in a poignant lead role. The film chronicles the life of Jacques Kaminsky, a successful and complex orchestra conductor whose passion for music is rivaled only by his turbulent personal relationships. As his health declines, Jacques confronts the intricacies of love, family tensions, and the legacy he will leave behind. With a narrative that intertwines introspective moments and emotional confrontations, the film delves deep into themes of forgiveness, reckoning, and the inescapable past, painting a heartfelt portrait of a man grappling with his demons.

Cast

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  Johnny Hallyday

  Jacques Kaminsky

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  Sandrine Bonnaire

  Nathalie Béranger

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  Eddy Mitchell

  Frédéric Selman

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  Irène Jacob

  Printemps Kaminsky

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  Pauline Lefèvre

  Eté Kaminsky

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  Sarah Kazemy

  Automne Kaminsky

Reviews

"We Love You, You Bastard" garnered mixed reactions from critics and audiences alike. On IMDb, it holds a rating of 5.5/10, reflecting a polarized reception. Critics praised Johnny Hallyday's compelling performance, with The Hollywood Reporter noting, "Hallyday delivers a raw and heartfelt portrayal that anchors the film's emotional current." However, some reviewers found the pacing uneven and the storyline occasionally meandering. For instance, Variety commented that "while the film aspires to deep emotional resonance, it sometimes gets lost in melodramatic tangents." On Rotten Tomatoes, the film does not hold a consolidated critic score due to limited reviews, but user ratings indicate appreciation for the musical score and the intimate character study. Metacritic data is sparse, but scattered reviews highlight the film's strong emotional core despite narrative shortcomings. Overall, "We Love You, You Bastard" is considered a poignant but flawed exploration of a man's complex life, resonating especially with fans of Johnny Hallyday and French drama.

See also

Interstellar

Pulp Fiction

The Shawshank Redemption

Forrest Gump