The Heroics (2021)
While countless stories of redemption and perseverance in the face of addiction have found their way to the big screen, few focus on the long and difficult process that follows. Screening as part of the 2021 Cannes Film Festival, Maxime Roy's debut feature, The Heroics, does exactly this. Following a man named Michel (François Créton) who has to deal with the consequences of his former addiction specifically when it comes to the relationship he has with his former partner and teenage son, The Heroics becomes an emotional and powerful statement held together by one of the best performances of the year.
When it comes to the film's effectiveness, credit has to be given first and foremost to François Créton. With an eerily similar soul as Mickey Rourke in Darren Aronofsky's The Wrestler; Créton gives an undeniably empathetic performance that shows a level of maturity and craft only found in the best of actors. Blending charisma with a sense of patheticness, Créton feels brutally honest and authentic to the experience so many go through and really becomes the life and soul of the overall feature.
This praise isn't to suggest however that Créton is working totally alone. Not only is the supporting cast alongside him such as Roméo Créton giving really great performances, but the screenplay is also nothing short of excellent. A collaboration between Maxime Roy and François Créton, it is clear that both individuals are living and breathing alongside the project not only giving it an authentic screenplay that naturally flows but also giving a deeper connection to their individual roles as director and actor.
While the overall package of The Heroics is confident and powerful, it is worth pointing out that the story never quite takes the next leap needed to be a true masterpiece. Very similar to Gavin O’Connor's The Way Back from early 2020, The Heroics sets off on an established course that while powerful, is ultimately never shocking or truly groundbreaking. While this in no way negates what the film is able to achieve on an overall emotional level, it does prevent the film from truly rising to masterpiece level.
Still, it is hard not to fall for The Heroics and get caught up in its various emotional beats. This film clearly deserves to be the breakout hit for François Créton who truly gives one of the best performances of the year and should be recognized for his efforts. The passion from the individuals making the film is clear and all around The Heroics has to be viewed as one of the highlights of the 2021 Cannes Film Festival.
When it comes to the film's effectiveness, credit has to be given first and foremost to François Créton. With an eerily similar soul as Mickey Rourke in Darren Aronofsky's The Wrestler; Créton gives an undeniably empathetic performance that shows a level of maturity and craft only found in the best of actors. Blending charisma with a sense of patheticness, Créton feels brutally honest and authentic to the experience so many go through and really becomes the life and soul of the overall feature.
This praise isn't to suggest however that Créton is working totally alone. Not only is the supporting cast alongside him such as Roméo Créton giving really great performances, but the screenplay is also nothing short of excellent. A collaboration between Maxime Roy and François Créton, it is clear that both individuals are living and breathing alongside the project not only giving it an authentic screenplay that naturally flows but also giving a deeper connection to their individual roles as director and actor.
While the overall package of The Heroics is confident and powerful, it is worth pointing out that the story never quite takes the next leap needed to be a true masterpiece. Very similar to Gavin O’Connor's The Way Back from early 2020, The Heroics sets off on an established course that while powerful, is ultimately never shocking or truly groundbreaking. While this in no way negates what the film is able to achieve on an overall emotional level, it does prevent the film from truly rising to masterpiece level.
Still, it is hard not to fall for The Heroics and get caught up in its various emotional beats. This film clearly deserves to be the breakout hit for François Créton who truly gives one of the best performances of the year and should be recognized for his efforts. The passion from the individuals making the film is clear and all around The Heroics has to be viewed as one of the highlights of the 2021 Cannes Film Festival.