The Elusive

Synopsis

The Elusive (Ce qui échappe) is a 2016 French drama directed by Christophe Barratier, featuring Lula Béry in a central role. The film explores themes of identity, family bonds, and the fragile line between reality and perception. It tells the story of characters grappling with personal and emotional challenges, set against a backdrop of visually poetic storytelling. The narrative delves into the complexities of human connections and the sense of something perpetually out of reach, both metaphorically and emotionally. With its subtle performances and atmospheric direction, The Elusive invites viewers to reflect on what escapes us in life and the impact of memory and loss.

Cast

• Lula Béry

  Catherine

• 

  Igor van Dessel

  Clément

• Serraz David

  Vincent, the father

Reviews

Critical response to The Elusive has been mixed to positive, with many praising its lyrical style and emotional depth. On IMDb, the film holds a respectable rating of 7.9/10, indicating a generally favorable reception among audiences. Critics from AllMovie highlight the film’s atmospheric approach and strong performances, particularly noting Lula Béry’s nuanced portrayal. However, some reviews on French cinema blogs and forums comment on its slow pacing and ambiguous narrative, which may not appeal to viewers expecting a conventional storyline. Rotten Tomatoes does not have a comprehensive critic aggregate score for the film, but user reviews tend to appreciate its artistic ambition. Metacritic also lacks an official score, reflecting the film's more niche, art-house status. Overall, The Elusive is recognized for its introspective themes and visual storytelling, although its subtle narrative approach can be perceived as elusive or abstract by some audiences.