A subtle psychological drama with echoes of Laura (1944), as unstable police captain Matarasso (an excellent Daniel Duval) working in a typically faded coastal resort town in Nice starts to retreat into a fantasy world after falling in love with a dead woman (Chiara Caselli.)
Introduced desperately trying to convince doctors he needs sick leave, he eventually bribes one to secure it. Free from his professional obligations, he spends his time cruising cafés and bars, gambling, indulging in prostitutes and avoiding his girlfriend while frequently visiting her mother.
There are subtle and not-so-subtle signs that something is seriously wrong. But without wanting to give away too much about the plot it takes an impulsive and reckless act on his part leading to the discovery of a beautiful corpse which sets his downfall in motion.
Thanks to clever writing, editing and direction it takes quite a while to discern fully what is fantasy or flashback (or both, or neither) which was initially pleasantly disconcerting, but all eventually becomes satisfyingly clear. So there’s no mystery element here; rather a gradual realisation of one man’s descent into delusion that increasingly affects not only his supposed loved ones but also the dead woman’s family.
Duval is excellent. His gradually developing madness is displayed both quietly and with bizarrely logical actions, and occasionally with more overtly disturbing behaviour as he sinks deeper. The scenes between he and Caselli are among the film’s most interesting. As he investigates her life – unofficially probing her family, colleagues and friends (much to their annoyance or distress) – his knowledge of her becomes more complete, and Caselli’s performance adapts to every minor revelation. Her character changes from scene to scene in very subtle ways and it‘s fascinating to watch.
For what is essentially a police investigation movie On the Shore stays well away from flashy pyrotechnics and set-pieces. It’s a film focused mainly on the mind, and the human element. It deals with an intense loneliness and isolation, and the effects that can have on a man who – as a policeman – should be protecting us from presences as insidious and damaging as his.
Director: Julien Donada
Writer: Christian Paigneau
Stars: Daniel Duval, Chiara Caselli, Françoise Arnoul
Film Rating: 
