The Truth (original title: La Vérité) is a 2019 French-Japanese drama film directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda, the acclaimed filmmaker behind Shoplifters. The film stars Catherine Deneuve, Juliette Binoche, and Ethan Hawke, and is Kore-eda’s first non-Japanese feature. It is a reflective and emotional exploration of memory, motherhood, and the blurry line between reality and fiction.
Detailed Summary
Introduction: Reunion and Reconciliation
The film opens with Fabienne Dangeville (Catherine Deneuve), a legendary French actress, publishing her memoir titled The Truth. Her daughter Lumir (Juliette Binoche), who lives in New York with her husband Hank (Ethan Hawke) and their young daughter Charlotte, returns to Paris to celebrate the book’s release. What begins as a family reunion quickly becomes a tense emotional confrontation.
Lumir, upon reading her mother’s memoir, realizes it is full of distortions, omissions, and outright lies—particularly about their relationship and the absence of Lumir’s father. Fabienne insists her version is “her truth,” revealing how selective memory shapes her self-image.
The Movie Within the Movie: “Memories of My Mother”
At the same time, Fabienne is filming a sci-fi drama called Memories of My Mother. The movie tells the story of a woman who remains young while her daughter ages, meeting her at different points in time. The film-within-the-film mirrors Fabienne and Lumir’s own strained relationship.
Fabienne’s co-star, Manon, reminds her of Sarah, a deceased actress who was once Fabienne’s friend and possibly Lumir’s surrogate mother figure. Lumir resents her mother for overshadowing Sarah’s career and suspects that Fabienne’s insecurities contributed to Sarah’s demise.
Truths, Lies, and Emotional Distance
Throughout the story, Fabienne and Lumir clash repeatedly over memory, honesty, and emotional neglect. Fabienne defends her selfishness as a necessity of her career. Lumir accuses her of rewriting history to protect her ego.
Despite the tension, there are tender, humorous moments. Hank, Lumir’s husband, tries to ease the atmosphere with his laid-back attitude. Charlotte, their daughter, brings a sense of innocence and curiosity, asking questions that unintentionally reveal adult hypocrisies.
Cracks in the Facade
As filming continues, Fabienne becomes increasingly affected by her role. She begins to see herself through her daughter’s eyes—vain, manipulative, and emotionally distant. Lumir, too, begins to see that her mother’s arrogance hides deep insecurity and loneliness.
When Lumir’s father, long believed dead, is revealed to be alive, it forces both women to confront Fabienne’s greatest fabrication. Fabienne admits she wrote him out of her story because “it made a better ending.” This is the turning point in their relationship—Lumir sees the woman behind the legend, while Fabienne confronts the cost of her “truth.”
Movie Ending
In the final act, Fabienne completes her film and delivers one of her best performances, blending her real emotions into her acting for the first time. After shooting a scene where her character reconciles with her daughter, Fabienne is visibly moved. It’s unclear whether she is still acting or genuinely expressing remorse.
Later, she and Lumir take a quiet walk. Fabienne tells Lumir she’s written a new version of her memoir—this time, with a little more honesty. Lumir smiles but doesn’t ask to read it. The moment is intimate and understated: forgiveness is implied, but not spelled out.
The film closes with Fabienne filming another scene, surrounded by her crew. As the camera pulls back, the line between performance and reality blurs once again. The audience is left wondering whether Fabienne has truly changed—or if “truth” remains just another act.
It’s a poetic, ambiguous ending—Kore-eda’s signature style—leaving viewers with emotional closure rather than narrative finality.
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
No, The Truth does not have any post-credits scenes. The film ends on a contemplative note, fitting its reflective tone. There are no additional scenes after the credits—just the lingering feeling of an unresolved but heartfelt family story.
Type of Movie
The Truth is a drama with elements of family psychology and meta-cinema. It examines how memories and personal narratives shape relationships, particularly between mothers and daughters. It’s emotional, slow-paced, and deeply introspective rather than plot-driven.
Cast
- Catherine Deneuve as Fabienne Dangeville
- Juliette Binoche as Lumir
- Ethan Hawke as Hank
- Clémentine Grenier as Charlotte
- Manon Clavel as Manon
- Alain Libolt as Jacques
Film Music and Composer
The score is composed by Alexandre Desplat, whose elegant and understated music enhances the emotional subtlety of Kore-eda’s direction. The piano-driven themes reflect nostalgia and melancholy, perfectly matching the film’s tone of bittersweet reflection.
Filming Locations
The movie was primarily shot in Paris, especially in Fabienne’s grand old house, which represents both her celebrity status and her isolation. Some scenes were filmed at Cité du Cinéma and on real Parisian streets. The use of natural light and domestic interiors gives the film a warm, intimate feeling that contrasts the coldness of Fabienne’s emotional world.
Awards and Nominations
The Truth premiered at the 76th Venice International Film Festival and was selected as the opening film. While it did not win major awards, it was praised for its acting and dialogue, particularly Deneuve’s self-aware performance as a diva mirroring her own career.
Behind the Scenes Insights
- Hirokazu Kore-eda wrote the script specifically for Catherine Deneuve and Juliette Binoche.
- The director communicated in a mix of English, French, and Japanese on set, since this was his first foreign-language project.
- Kore-eda encouraged Deneuve to improvise some scenes to reflect her real-life persona.
- Ethan Hawke described the production as “like a French family dinner—chaotic but beautiful.”
Inspirations and References
Kore-eda drew inspiration from classic French cinema, particularly the works of François Truffaut and Eric Rohmer. The story also mirrors the emotional themes of his own Japanese films, such as Still Walking and After the Storm, focusing on imperfect families and unspoken regrets.
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
There were no major alternate endings, but Kore-eda reportedly filmed a slightly longer version of the final walk between Fabienne and Lumir, which was shortened to preserve the ambiguity. Some minor scenes showing Lumir’s childhood memories were also cut.
Book Adaptations and Differences
The film is not based on a specific book. However, the concept of a fictional memoir (The Truth) plays a central symbolic role, blending written narrative and lived experience—a recurring Kore-eda motif.
Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- Lumir reading Fabienne’s memoir aloud and calling out her lies.
- Fabienne’s breakdown during the Memories of My Mother shoot.
- The dinner scene where family tensions erupt but humor softens the blow.
- The final walk between Fabienne and Lumir under the Paris sun.
Iconic Quotes
- Fabienne: “I’m an actress. I can’t tell the truth. I can only act it.”
- Lumir: “You remember what suits you, not what happened.”
- Hank: “You two should make a movie together. You’re both great at fiction.”
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- The title The Truth references not only Fabienne’s memoir but also Kore-eda’s own obsession with how cinema constructs truth.
- Fabienne’s character parallels Catherine Deneuve’s real-life image as a French icon—regal, distant, and magnetic.
- The film-within-the-film’s theme of eternal youth reflects Fabienne’s refusal to age gracefully.
Trivia
- The film marks Hirokazu Kore-eda’s first time directing outside Japan.
- Catherine Deneuve reportedly found the role “painfully close to home.”
- Juliette Binoche compared working with Kore-eda to “therapy disguised as cinema.”
Why Watch?
Watch The Truth for its emotional depth, razor-sharp dialogue, and world-class performances. It’s a masterclass in subtle acting and storytelling—a gentle yet piercing look at how families rewrite their past to survive it. If you appreciate quiet, character-driven films that explore the human condition, this is one to savor slowly.
Director’s Other Movies
- Shoplifters (2018)
- Like Father, Like Son (2013)
- After the Storm (2016)
- Still Walking (2008)
- Broker (2022)
Recommended Films for Fans
- Amour (2012)
- The Farewell (2019)
- An Autumn Tale (1998)
- Blue (1993)
- The Hours (2002)
