Incendies Review: A Mother's Buried Past
8.5/10 — Incendies (2010)
Pros
- Lubna Azabal's powerful performance
- Tight mystery structure
- Devastating reveal
Cons
- Heavy subject matter
- Stretches credibility
After their mother’s death, twins Jeanne and Simon are given letters to deliver to a father they thought was dead and a brother they never knew existed. Their search leads them to the Middle East. It’s based on Wajdi Mouawad’s play.
What works
The film unfolds like a mystery, with the mother’s backstory told in flashbacks, and the performances, including Lubna Azabal’s, are exceptional. Villeneuve builds to a reveal that is devastating.
Where it falters
The central twist stretches credibility, and the film is grim and heavy.
Verdict
A gripping, harrowing drama, and an early sign of Villeneuve’s gifts.
