SYNOPSIS:
A few weeks before his college entrance exams, Reda, a young
man who lives in the south of France, finds himself forced to
drive his father to Mecca. From the start, the journey looks
to be difficult. Reda and his father have nothing in common.
Talk is reduced to the strict minimum. Reda wants to experience
this trip in his own way. His father demands respect for himself
and the meaning of this pilgrimage. As they drive through different
countries and meet various people, Reda and his father observe
each other warily. How can they create a relationship when communication
is impossible? From the south of France, through Italy, Serbia,
Turkey, Syria, Jordan to Saudi Arabia, their road is 3,000 miles
long.
MOVIE
REVIEW:
Le Grand Voyage has neither elaborate studio sets
nor Hollywood stylish special effects. Its essence lies fully
in its focus on people and their strong belief in a common
religion. The tedious, arduous journey to Mecca, not the least
bit, diminishes or wavers the strong determination of their
great faith. Believers from all walks of life are willing
to travel for long and far to congregate together and pray
for their pilgrimage.
Audience
is going to understand all these through a pair of father
and son, who embark on a tiring road journey of 3000 miles
long that crosses over many countries like Italy, Serbia,
Turkey etc from their town at the south of France. Nicolas
Cazale, portrays Reda, the son, a typical youth who cares
more for his freedom, girlfriend than religion. And his 2nd
attempt at his college entrance exams is at the top of his
mind. But his plans were thwarted when unexpected circumstances
left him with no choice but to drive his elderly father (Mohamed
Majd) for his pilgrimage to Mecca. Father was a staunch Muslim
who leads and abides by his religious rules.
You
can imagine what happen if two persons, apart from being blood-related,
have no other common topics to relate with, abruptly became
travel companions. Not to mention about communication, talk
is already a rarity. Journey commences with constant wariness
and doubts towards each other. It is definitely not going
to be a pleasant one but proven to be a gradual, learning
emotional and spiritual process for both of them.
Reda,
despite all the differences, is still a chip off the old block
in his bones with streak of stubbornness. Through his wise
father and a hard lesson, Reda came to learn of his gullibility
in deceptive strangers and the world he once viewed as black
and white has inevitably turned into zones of greyness. And
follows by his understanding of the reasons behind his father’s
perseverance and persistence in completing his journey on
road than via the easier way by aeroplane.
Towards
the end, his father realizes that he cannot expect his son
to think exactly as he is though he would wish for that. A
give and take stance e.g. by accepting his son’s non-Muslim
girlfriend fosters an amicable relationship, is always better
than being dogmatic in his ways.
Both
characters unabashedly connected to the audience with their
frequent disagreements and little communication. The intrinsically
valuable journey strengthens their relationship exponentially
and evolves into wordless but vital understanding.
But
why does realization to cherish always have to be one step
later than eternal separation? Ostensibly, this is how the
film has chosen to end its note.
SPECIAL
FEATURES :
This disc does not contain any special features.
AUDIO/VISUAL:
Viewers
are given a choice of French & Arabic Dolby Digital 2.0
and 5.1. Dialogue is clearly presented and although some grainy
specks are spotted in some sequences, it is not to the extent
of marring your viewing experience.
MOVIE
RATING:
 
(A
highly personal touching foreign firm that overcomes linguistic
hurdles)
DVD RATING :
Review
by Alicia Tee
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