Meet Ari, the lead character in Léonor Serraille's third feature film, whose aimless existence and unpredictable journey offer an unexpected fascination. According to most writing rules, every character should have a motive, a mission, or at least a goal. But Ari embodies the captivating notion of someone without a plan.
Serraille's 2017 inaugural film “Jeune Femme,” confronts a similar theme, but with a more vibrant perspective. “Ari” delves into the life of a misdirected young trainee teacher, providing the film with a melancholic undertone. Despite this, the movie remains insightful and compelling as it portrays Ari's recuperation from a personal and professional crisis and his realisation that no one has a perfect life.
The movie is less about traditional plot progression and more about subtle revelations that convey Ari’s reflection on his past, present, and future. Consequently, the movie validates Serraille’s unique approach to storytelling and her ability to empathetically project idiosyncratic characters.
Ari's story is set in motion with a beautifully filmed mother-son interaction. The narrative leaps decades into the future, where Ari is seen attempting with difficulty to teach poetry to primary school children. A nerve-racking evaluation leads to a career switch for Ari, setting the stage for further twists and turns in his life.
In the absence of his mother and with little support from his father, Ari is pushed into a whirlwind of life experiences. His past decisions, especially his break up with Irene, reverberate through his present, shaping his emotional health, romance, and career. Ari's character is thus sketched as a man caught up in the echoes of the past and the uncertainties of the future.
A forced period of couch-surfing rekindles old friendships and unearths surprising truths about his friends. This compels Ari towards self-reflection and the possibility of a rosier perspective on life.
The film offers an unflinching depiction of a young man’s life, replete with vulnerabilities and missteps. Despite the close examination, his character retains an air of mystery, painting him as an optimistic work in progress.
