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Reel world: La Moustache
Moustachioed woes
By Joe Nguyen
nguyejos@mscd.edu

La Moustache Not rated 86 minutes Opens Oct. 20

A mustache possesses mysterious powers.

If a man were to shave it off, his world would be turned upside down and inside out. Those closest to him would change overnight, and family members would inexplicably die.

At least that’s what director Emmanuel Carrère tries to prove in La Moustache, an adaptation of his novel. The story focuses on Marc (Vincent Lindon), who shaves his mustache off, but no one notices when he does. He believes his wife Agnès (Emmanuelle Devos) and those closest to him have constructed an elaborate ruse. When he confronts them about it, they all claim that he’s never had a mustache. This slowly drives Marc crazy.

And I became crazy myself watching this convoluted mess of attempted thrill and intrigue. It’s an interesting premise, but Carrère fails to translate his novel into a cohesive film. Even the stellar acting couldn’t save this sinking ship.

Lindon (La Haine) carries the movie with an award-worthy performance, instantly transforming from a loving husband to a man descending into madness. Devos (Sur mes lèvres) gives an equally impressive turn, shedding her sweet demeanor to cast an ominous aura during his descent. The acting alone almost makes the film salvageable.

If, that is, the plot is disregarded.

About halfway through the film, Marc’s mind snaps as he frantically searches for his parents’ house. When he is unable to remember where it is, he returns home to grab his passport and fly to Hong Kong. For the next 20 minutes, Marc makes numerous trips between the island and the airport.

Though this ritual appears to rehabilitate Marc’s mental health, it’s pure torture to watch. There’s no dialogue, nothing to move the story along aside from watching him travel back and forth.

One song plays several times throughout the movie: a sharp string instrumental gradually growing louder, producing a feeling of anticipation for what’s about to happen. But it abruptly ends, killing the mood and leaving the feeling unsatisfied.

At its bare essence, La Moustache is a story about lost identity and insecurities in relationships. If done right, these subjects can be both captivating and frightening. Unfortunately, Carrère fails to convey this coherently.