“In the Name of My Daughter,” a crime drama based on a historic court case, depicts a young heiress’ slow deterioration. The film begins with the protagonist’s toxic love affair with a handsome lawyer that eventually leads to betrayal and her disappearance. The twists and turns of the plot captivate the viewer from start to finish.
The film draws inspiration from the 2014 Le Roux court case, a compelling trial which provides a strong plot base for the movie. Last year, the Le Roux case concluded with the 20-year conviction of lawyer Jean-Maurice Agnelet when the court found Agnelet guilty for the murder of casino heiress Agnes Le Roux. The director of the film, André Téchiné, tried to keep the story as factual as possible, according to rogerebert.com, and his efforts create a captivating drama.
The film begins with the recently divorced Agnes, played by Adèle Haenel (“Love At First Site”), returning home from Africa. She meets her mother’s viciously ambitious lawyer, Maurice Agnelet, played by Guillaume Canet (“Love Me If You Dare”). Agnes and Maurice quickly become friends and later lovers. Agnes keeps Maurice at a distance at first, setting a slow, sensual tempo for the film. Soon after, Agnes meets one of Maurice’s mistresses who warns her about his cruel behavior, like the fact that Maurice has had multiple romantic affairs. Unfortunately for Agnes, she does not heed the warning.
While Agnes’ relationship with Maurice intensifies, tension builds between Agnes’ mother Renee, played by Catherine Deneuve (“Belle de Jour”), and fellow casino owner Fratoni, played by Jean Corso (“French Kiss”) as they fight for control of her casino. Renee eventually becomes president of the casino, and Maurice asks her for a promotion, but she refuses. Maurice angrily quits and starts to manipulate his budding relationship with Agnes by partnering with Fratoni to gain control of Renee’s casino.
The remainder of the film follows the slow demise of Agnes and Maurice’s romance. As the relationship crumbles, Agnes pushes her mother further and further out of her life.
The film’s character development appears multifaceted. On one hand, Agnes’ character progression will depress and disappoint the audience. She turns suicidal and obsesses over Maurice at the end of the film. Her tragic love story seems predictable, but she still manages to captivate the audience. It is the relatability of the relationship between Agnes and Maurice that makes their relationship engaging. The compelling nature of Agnes’ struggle ultimately overshadows Haenel’s average acting.
On the other hand, the development of Maurice feels less dynamic. Throughout the film, he reveals his cold, calculated nature, and his personality shows that he values nothing but his prestige. Unfortunately, Canet’s acting fails to give the character believability. His flat and dry performance leaves the audience with little understanding of Maurice.
Other than Maurice’s subpar character, the themes of sex, murder and wealth make this film an exciting fact-based drama. The thrilling tale of the disappearing heiress creates a gripping film that will leave its audience in a mystery.
Grade: B
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