About the Movie (Summary)
"Le Choix" is a French drama film directed by Gilles Bourdos, released on November 20, 2024. The film is a remake of the 2013 British movie "Locke" by Steven Knight. It follows a night in the life of Joseph Cross, played by Vincent Lindon, a construction manager whose carefully structured world begins to unravel due to a series of urgent phone calls. The movie is an exploration of moral dilemmas, responsibility, and the impact of one's decisions.
Plot Summary
One night, while driving alone, Joseph Cross receives a series of phone calls that put both his personal and professional life in jeopardy. As the conversations unfold, he is forced to make difficult choices that could alter his fate. The story is set entirely within his car, intensifying the psychological and emotional tension. His calm, collected demeanor slowly gives way to panic and desperation as he attempts to manage a construction crisis while dealing with a personal revelation that threatens his family life.
Director’s Vision
Gilles Bourdos aimed to create a tense, immersive experience that mirrors the internal struggles of a man at a crossroads. By keeping the narrative within a single location—Joseph’s car—Bourdos heightens the tension and sense of confinement, making the audience experience the protagonist’s dilemmas in real-time. He wanted to explore themes of integrity, responsibility, and the fragile balance between work and personal life.
Themes
Responsibility: The film explores the weight of personal and professional obligations.
Consequences of Choices: How a single decision can have far-reaching effects.
Work vs. Family Conflict: The struggle of balancing career duties with personal commitments.
Isolation: The confined setting mirrors the loneliness of critical life moments.
Integrity & Morality: Joseph’s dilemma questions whether honesty is always the right choice.
Key Success Factors
Powerful Lead Performance: Vincent Lindon delivers an emotionally charged portrayal.
Unique Cinematic Approach: A single-location setting enhances tension and focus.
Minimalist Storytelling: The film relies on dialogue and performance rather than spectacle.
Psychological Drama: Keeps audiences engaged through its real-time unfolding of events.
Faithful yet Distinctive Remake: Builds upon the success of "Locke" while offering a fresh take.
Short Summary:"Le Choix" (2024) is a French psychological drama directed by Gilles Bourdos, starring Vincent Lindon. A remake of Steven Knight's Locke (2013), the film follows Joseph Cross, a construction manager whose life unravels over the course of a single night due to a series of urgent phone calls. Shot entirely inside his car, the movie explores moral dilemmas, responsibility, and the consequences of choices. Praised for Lindon’s gripping performance and its minimalist storytelling, the film premiered at Rome Film Fest and grossed $148,938 worldwide.
Awards and Nominations
2024 Rome Film Fest: Nominated for Progressive Cinema Best Film – Gilles Bourdos.
Critical Reception
Le Monde: Praised the film’s intense psychological depth and Lindon’s performance.
SensCritique: Highlighted the film’s gripping narrative but noted some viewers felt it lacked the intensity of "Locke".
Avoir Alire: Appreciated the moral dilemmas and character study but found the pacing slightly slow at times.
Laurent Delmas (Critic): Stated, "There are simply too many script details, too much staging."
Online Reviews
AlloCiné: Users praised the film’s emotional weight and real-time storytelling.
Letterboxd: Many viewers appreciated Lindon’s nuanced performance but debated the effectiveness of the single-location setting.
Télérama: Called it "a gripping one-man performance that tests the limits of cinematic storytelling."
Box Office Performance
France Lifetime Gross: $148,938
Worldwide Lifetime Gross: $148,938 (as of March 3, 2025)
Production
Director: Gilles Bourdos
Writers: Steven Knight (Original Screenplay: Locke), Michel Spinosa (Screenplay)
Producer: Olivier Delbosc
Cinematographer: Ping Bin Lee (as Mark Lee Ping-Bing)
Editor: Guy Lecorne
Production Companies:
Curiosa Films [France]
Union Générale Cinématographique (UGC) [France]
Studio Exception [France]
JD Prod [France]
Canal+ [France] (support)
Ciné+ [France] (participation)
Orange Cinéma Séries [France] (participation)
Cinéaxe 5 [France] (in association with)
Cinémage 18 [France] (in association with)
Sales & Distribution Companies
Sales Company: Pyramide International
Distributor: UGC Distribution (France)
Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt33996092/
Link Review: https://cineuropa.org/en/newsdetail/470347/
About movie: https://ugcdistribution.fr/film/le-choix/
Link to watch: https://www.universcine.com/films/le-choix-1 (France)
Why to Recommend This Movie
A masterclass in acting: Vincent Lindon delivers one of his best performances.
A gripping psychological drama: Keeps the audience engaged from start to finish.
An innovative storytelling approach: A single-location film with deep emotional impact.
Explores universal themes: Work-life balance, integrity, and the weight of decisions.
For fans of intense character studies: Similar to "Locke" and "Buried".
Why You Should Watch "Le Choix"
Minimalist storytelling that maximizes tension
Real-time unfolding narrative that feels immersive
Outstanding performance by Vincent Lindon
Compelling moral dilemmas that provoke thought
Cinematic uniqueness through its single-location approach
What Movie Trend "Le Choix" is Following
Minimalist Psychological Drama
A trend of single-location films that rely on dialogue and acting rather than visual spectacle.
Similar to "Locke" (2013), "Buried" (2010), and "Phone Booth" (2002).
What Big Social Trend the Film is Reflecting
The Modern Work-Life Struggle
Explores how work responsibilities interfere with personal life.
Reflects growing societal discussions about burnout, integrity, and moral dilemmas in high-pressure professions.
Final Verdict
"Le Choix" is a thought-provoking, intense drama that showcases Vincent Lindon’s exceptional acting skills. The film successfully captures the emotional turmoil of a man forced to make life-altering decisions in real-time. With its minimalist yet impactful storytelling, "Le Choix" is a must-watch for fans of psychological dramas and character-driven films.
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