Incendies Movie Review (2010)
Arguably one of the best films ever made, Incendies, about a twins’ quest to learn about their mother’s life, is a must-see for any movie lover. Seriously, watch it. This is a hill I will die on.
Incendies is one of my very favorite films. Not because it is sweet and light and fun (which it absolutely isn’t), but because it has such depth that when I finished watching it the first time, I sat in silence for at least 20 minutes to process what I had just watched. I then looked desperately for anyone else who had watched this movie. I did not find anyone I knew, so I went down a rabbit hole online. I was obsessed with reading every little thing for days.
Directed by Denis Villeneuve (who also directed films like Arrival, Blade Runner 2049, and the new Dune movies), Incendies (which is French for “fires”) is a drama about young adult twins who, after their mother’s death, are invited by her close family friend to the reading of her will. At this meeting, they are given two envelopes and charged to find the father they thought was dead and the brother they had never heard of. Jeanne and Simon then go on a journey to find them, and in the process, learn about the mother that they never really knew.
This film takes place in an unnamed Middle Eastern country and covers many locations, visited in the past by the mother and in the present by at least one of the twins. It is beautifully shot and the cinematography is breathtaking, with gorgeous scenic views and moments of intense vulnerability and claustrophobia emitted from just the angles of the camera and the build of music.
And while visually, it is stunning, the storytelling and tone are what really draw you in. You care about what happens to these characters. You are horrified and hurt by the atrocities occurring in the region. And at the heart of everything is this great mystery that you want to learn about just as much as Jeanne and Simon.
Villeneuve’s direction of Incendies is remarkable and the actors are spectacular. This is one of those movies where you are so drawn in that it feels like a peek into the life of a real family. And the tension grows over time, where – for me – it is as if something is ripping in my chest and I’m not even sure why. It is beautiful and overwhelming in ways that leave you curious and attached.
I wish that I could put my passion and love for this movie into words, but it is truly impossible. Incendies is one of the most unique movies that I have experienced and is a gift to the world of cinema. I highly suggest not reading anything past this review, just watch it. It will be far richer that way. This is a true masterpiece just waiting for you.
Runtime: 131 minutes
Motion Picture Rating: Not Rated
Languages Spoken In The Film: French, English, Arabic, Italian, Serbian, and German with English subtitles
Should You Watch It? Yes, without a doubt. Put it at the top of your list.
Did I Cry? Yes
My Rating: 5/5 Stars
Available: Free on Tubi, to rent on Prime Video, or may be available for free on other streaming platforms
