One of the nastiest surprises of post-Cold War era is the rise of far right political parties in Western Europe. This phenomenon is usually explained as the reaction to the increasing immigration from non- European countries, trend, which is usually associated with labour shortage. The labour shortage is, on the other hand, usually explained by some disturbing demographic trends, mainly caused by unwillingness of young Western Europeans to reproduce. This trend probably served as an inspiration for Neuf mois, 1994 French comedy directed by Patrick Braoudé, film better known as a original version of 1995 American comedy Nine Months.
Protagonist of the film is Samuel (played by Patrick Braoudé), Jewish psychoanalyst whose work experience convinced him that a family is nothing more than source of unsolvable problems and that he shouldn't start family himself. However, all that changes when his girlfriend Dominique (played by Catherine Jacob) announces that she is pregnant. Suddenly faced with something inconceivable, Samuel tries to find guidance among his two sets of friends - those who refused family life and live like careless bachelors and those who burdened themselves with wife and children. As months go by, both Samuel and Dominique must adapt to the new, increasingly difficult lifestyle.
Neuf mois proves that a film can be both entertaining and deal with some serious issues. In this case the issue is modern man's apparent inability to confront parenthood - something that is able to change someone's lifestyle more profoundly than any other life's event, except death. Braoudé, who also co-wrote film apart from directing and playing main part, approaches this issue with intelligence, showing us the both sides of the coin. On one hand parenthood demands financial and other sacrifices (depriving people of their beauty, sex life, free time and other things that they take for granted), while on the other it provides gives them new dimension in life, unimaginable to those without it. Neuf mois does all this with a lot of humour, but the quality of the humour, as well as the film's structure, leave many things to be desired. Some plot elements are melodramatic, and that includes even hilarious finale, despite Pascal Légitimus whose brief and memorable appearance as gynecologist dwarves Robin Williams' efforts in American version. Yet, when all is said and done, Neuf mois is funny and intelligent film that could be appreciated even by those who don't share dilemmas of its protagonists.
RATING: 5/10 (++)
(Note: The text in its original form was posted in Usenet newsgroup rec.arts.movies.reviews on September 19th 2002)
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Movie URL: https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/63150-neuf-mois?language=en-US
Critic: AA
