To say that director-writer Quentin Dupieux’s style is distinctive would be an understatement. Simple ideas are transformed into the bizarre in films that don’t quite fit into the traditional realm of cinema. His quirky and unexpected interpretations make for an interesting and enjoyable watching experience, no matter how out of the box the delivery may be. This is no different for his latest film Incredible But True (Incroyable mais vrai), which made its North American premiere at this year’s Fantasia Fest.
Incredible But True starts by introducing us to middle-aged couple Alain (Alain Chabat) and Marie (Léa Drucker), who are looking to purchase their first home. While doing a walkthrough with their realtor, they are told about a most unusual feature of the house they’re considering. After purchasing this house, Marie becomes obsessed with its strange secret. As the obsession consumes her, Marie’s personal relationships and mental stability begin to erode. While carrying a great concern for his wife, Alain also has to deal with his boss, Gerard (Benoît Magimel), who has an odd, obsession-fueled secret of his own.
Filmed during the pandemic, the cast of Incredible But True is small but mighty. Chabat shines as Alain — a man simply trying to live his life without embellishment, which proves an exasperating task due to the people around him. His boss is a selfish, arrogant man who can be belligerent at times, and his wife is so involved in her own obsession that she’s missing out on the present. The on-screen display of these interpersonal relationships in such a relaxed setting is no less than amazing. There are not a lot of special effects or vivid imagery to assist the cast by amping up the drama. They themselves are special enough and the moments they create on screen are worthy of every laugh and gasp as these characters navigate their way through abnormal circumstances.
Magimel and Drucker are brilliant as two people commonly overwhelmed by a thought that in turn begins to dictate their behavior. Though their situations are different, they are plagued by the same virus so to speak — the obsession with preserving their youth. This theme is played out in a must-watch-for-yourself kind of way as the scenarios they find themselves in have to be seen to be believed, especially for Magimel’s Gerard.
Though the premise lends itself to Dupieux’s usual material, Incredible But True strays a little from his norm. The film overall is much more direct in its intent making it easier to digest than his other works. (Rubber, anyone?) At the beginning of the film, you find yourself not exactly sure where the story is going. In fact, if you’re anything like me, you may be completely confused in a way that compels you to continue down a rabbit hole that is being dug as you descend. It’s a great way to begin a story that at its core is very simple.
A wonderful pairing of comedy and drama, Incredible But True is a cleverly written and well-acted tale about the downward spiral of obsession and the illusion of importance it can create. Although on the shorter side, with the film being just a little over an hour in length, this complete tale is definitely worth the strange journey to the end.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
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