A Thousand Times Goodnight

This poignant tale, starring Juliette Binoche, depicts a woman’s struggle between duty to herself and her vocation, and as a mother. Caught between a concerned and loving family, and her passion, Rebecca’s own life is thrown into conflict, as her loved ones reach breaking point after she is seriously injured in the field.

Without its cast, A Thousand Times Goodnight would not be worth a glance; although the story is interesting and relevant, it is not necessarily a crowd-pleaser. But in the hands of Binoche and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (of Game of Thrones notoriety), with an able team of supporting actors, the characters are given the space necessary to grow. The family dynamic created by this group of performers is nothing if not believable, whilst not overshadowing the “bigger picture” of the plot.

If anything, this is a film that could have gotten away with pushing further towards the abstract (a la Lars Von Trier’s Melancholia, perhaps), but what the audience is treated to instead is a healthy balance between the stalwart courage and nobility of Rebecca’s cause and the normality of her middle-class family.

A Thousand Times Goodnight will make you think (if not, please consult your GP). It is anything but a passive watch, and the concept is certainly worth it. Although it may not be the most action-packed of films, the performances are all that is necessary to bring the film to life.

 

Phoebe Person

A Thousand Times Good Night was released in selected cinemas on 2^nd May 2014.

Watch the trailer for A Thousand Times Goodnight here: