Two Is a Family

I have nothing against bittersweet, moving films, but Two Is a Family is a manipulative and superficial calculation that is fundamentally unpleasantly torn between trying to find a serious relationship-parenting probe in the style of contemporary European dramas, and an inappropriately chosen overflow of Hollywood comedy stylization. Both of these contradictory approaches interfere with each other. The result seems as if the creators want to shoot a new version of Kramer vs. Kramer, but to make it come off to the audience more like Big Daddy with Adam Sandler, which reliably kills any impression of realism. The first quarter of an hour is basically great, but the rest is an artificial spasm that is too bitter for comedy and too flat, transparent and unbelievable for drama. (11/02/2017)

For the second time in two days, I had to turn off the cynical bastard in me to enjoy an endearingly heart-aching movie. If I had been looking forward to a great comedy, I would have been disappointed, but as a drama, it works perfectly. I don't know why, but I like Omar Sy, whether he's playing an unexpected dad, a caretaker, a cook, or a gangster. He's accompanied by superb Clémence Poésy here, and it sure is a success. Maybe I also liked the film because I was expecting more of a goofy flick with a lovey-dovey happy ending. Instead, I got a drama that kept me entertained and the two hours just raced by. I hope the French filmmakers don't plan on making more of this sort of thing, I'd hate to change my negative attitude towards the French cinema. (08/27/2017)

The French have managed to do something again: to arouse every possible emotion in a person. You'll laugh, you'll be moved, and you'll also be furious and will feel like killing someone. I think the anger got the better of me. Some people, in this case Gloria's mother, don't have an ounce of shame in them. She has no shame, she has a lot of balls for just walking in and claiming something she has absolutely no right to, or I guess she does things according to the French justice system. Yeah, that's what she'd like, to put the baby down, leave the most challenging years of parenting to the father, and then walk in years later and "hey there, I'm your mommy, so now I'm taking you, ok?" It is a beautiful film, with an important message, but I’m still angry :) (05/03/2017)

Definitive proof that Omar Sy is the king of dramedies with a social subtext. The Intouchables could have been a coincidence, Samba could have been god luck, but this time it's a sure bet. On his home turf, this walking breath of optimism simply can't be surpassed. And even though the twists may seem expected and overly emotional, a smaller but more important idea about fully enjoying life emerges throughout the whole story, opening one's eyes. And that's when tears really start to sting. (02/15/2017)

Definitely one of the best, most intense and powerful films of the year. Omar Sy has another excellent role after The Intouchables and proves that he is one of the funniest black actors ever. Hugo Gélin has written another role tailor-made for him and this time instead of an immobile senior citizen he is in charge of a little girl, which is closer to my personal taste and the whole film had a huge impact on me. Omar has given up his life to give his daughter his all, a dream come true for every child and I think we can all agree that everyone would want a father like him. There is no shortage of funny moments, suspenseful moments, movie set moments, and poignant scenes that, especially in the final minutes, mine emotion so strongly that my eyes are still stinging two hours after it's over. I haven't screamed so hard at anything and yet it is not an emotional wipeout. An incredible film and France in full force again. 100%. (04/25/2017)