Film reviews can often present dichotomous opinions, but the recent release of Houda Benyamina's film ‘Toutes pour une’ emerges as both ambitious and problematic. This bold adaptation loosely based on Alexandre Dumas’s ‘The Three Musketeers’ reimagines the titular characters as women, intertwining notions of adventure and feminism.
Set against the backdrop of 1625 France, the narrative follows Sara, played by Oulaya Amamra, who escapes captivity only to discover she’s joined forces with three female musketeers—Athos, Aramitz, and Portau—dressed as men. Their mission? To retrieve the Queen, who has mysteriously departed for Spain, and prove she hasn’t deserted her duty. This twist presents both comedic and action-driven moments, but critics note it stumbles over inconsistencies.
Benyamina, renowned for her previous work on the acclaimed film ‘Divines,’ presents ‘Toutes pour une’ as not just another adventure but as commentary on gender dynamics. "Le plus difficile a été de trouver le ton du film," she explains, acknowledging the challenge of balancing humor with serious themes. The film’s attempts to explore these dualities sometimes muddle the overall execution, leading to mixed reviews from audiences and critics alike.
While the portrayal of female musketeers is refreshing, the film reportedly struggles to maintain its momentum. Critics have pointed out moments of dullness, overshadowed by whimsical dialogue and seemingly misplaced modern musical interludes. Songs meant to energize action scenes often feel jarring and fail to integrate smoothly, akin to throwing spaghetti at the wall to see what sticks. One reviewer compares its execution unfavorably to the slick, high-paced soundtracks found within contemporary Westerns like ‘The Harder They Fall.’
Positive aspects cannot be neglected; the film shines with its vibrant cast. Performances by Amamra, Sabrina Ouazani, and Déborah Lukumuena evoke charm and vigor, particularly Lukumuena who dishes out much of the film’s comedic relief—an important note for audiences seeking levity within the action.
Despite these strengths, several narrative weaknesses hinder the film’s overall potential. While the concept of women stepping up to traditional male roles is inherently captivating, many characters feel under-developed, limiting the emotional investment from the audience. Lowered stakes and predictability dissolve the suspense, leaving viewers craving the exhilarating thrill found within Dumas’s original work.
While the intention behind ‘Toutes pour une’ was to modernize and reinterpret the classic tale, it adds comedic and adventure elements yet falls flat as both. Critics have been quick to highlight conversational slip-ups, dubbing some situations as overly ridiculous. Often, writers find themselves caught between crafting satire versus straightforward adventure, with each failing to achieve balanced execution.
Yet, Benyamina and Amamra’s enthusiasm for the project shines through. Amamra describes her experience: "C’était un challenge énorme de faire un film historique…j’étais comme un enfant." Her excitement for the role and the overall narrative underlines the essence of the film—an attempt to break barriers amid dynamic storytelling.
Fiery female leads vying for justice highlight the spirit of friendship and camaraderie prevalent throughout the film, underlined by dialogues centered on issues of identity and gender. “Avec une bite on a moins peur,” asserts the dialogue within the film, echoing the notion of courage tied to masculinity. Herein lies another challenge: attempting to humorously tackle such weighty themes often leads to awkward writing and pacing.
‘Toutes pour une’ attempts to tackle heavy themes like femininity, friendship, and the ridicule of traditional masculinity. Still, it oscillates, at times stumbling through its quest for profundity. The filmmakers have strived to redefine heroism, emphasizing emotional loyalty against the trials faced by young women. "Je voulais fabriquer de nouveaux mythes... on change le monde par la fiction que nous racontons," Benyamina articulate, arguing for representation within narratives typically dominated by men.
Though fraught with challenges, ‘Toutes pour une’ appears positioned as both captivating and flawed—an exploration of boundaries littered with genuine heartfelt moments amid its comedic aspirations. Even amid its shortcomings, it opens dialogues about gender, representation, and the reimagination of classic tales for modern audiences.
Scheduled for release on January 22, 2025, ‘Toutes pour une’ raises the question of whether groundbreaking narratives can find success within traditional genres. With its unique premise and promising cast, audiences can only hope for evolution within cinema's storytelling framework.