The Truth (French: La Vérité) is a Franco-Japanese drama written and directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda in 2019. It is his first film not in Japanese language: it is set in France, stars Catherine Deneuve and Juliette Binoche, and the technical staff is French.
Fabienne (Catherine Deneuve) is an old star actress. She has just had her autobiography published, and is currently playing a secondary role in a sci-fi film. Her daughter Lumir (Juliette Binoche), who lives in America comes to visit her along with her husband Hank (Ethan Hawke) and their daughter Charlotte.
Fabienne is very proud and arrogant, and has very problematic relationships with many characters, especially her manager and her daughter. Also her book is apparently not very truthful, as Lumir will point several times.
The Truth provides examples of the following tropes:
- The Alcoholic: Fabienne certainly drinks too much. Hank is apparently a former alcoholic who refuses to have wine at dinner, and Lumir is quite angry when her mother has him drink anyway.
- Amicably Divorced: Fabienne is still on decent terms with Pierre (Lumir's father). Her book suggests that he is dead, and she pretends (to Charlotte) to have turned him into a turtle, but he is still welcome at her place.
- Arc Words: "I don't remember that." Several characters say this, and this film suggests that memory isn't always reliable.
- Calling Parents by Their Name: Inverted. As Lumir assists her mother at the filming studio, Fabienne tells her to call her Fabienne not mom.
- Visit by Divorced Dad: Lumir's father visits her mother and bumps into her.
- Wacky Parent, Serious Child: Fabienne is certainly irresponsible while Lumir is very serious.
