243. In Her Hands ( Au bout des doigts); movie review

IN HER HANDS (AU BOUT DES DOIGTS)
Cert 15
106 mins
BBFC advice: Contains strong language

Can it really be possible for a young man on the wrong side of the tracks to make it in the high-brow world of classical music?
Unfortunately, I found Ludovic Bernard's In Her Hands more than a tad romanticised although I suspect the world would be a better place if stories such as this could be reality.
It stars Jules Benchetrit as Mathieu, as a genius pianist who is confined to playing for fun on railway stations.
He is spotted by one of the high-ups of the Paris Conservatoire (Lambert Wilson) who is determined to help him fulfil his potential.
However, Mathieu is already wanted by the police and is arrested after a botched burglary.
Only when his new-found mentor comes to his aid does he avoid jail in exchange for community service at the Conservatoire and piano lessons with its most demanding teacher (Kristin Scott Thomas).
To say the pair have feisty opening exchanges would be a considerable understatement but, inevitably, their mutual respect grows.
Meanwhile, Mathieu falls for the beautiful orchestra player (Karidja Touré) who knows nothing of his down-at-heel home life.
In Her Hands was different and entertaining enough to keep me engaged throughout although I found Mathieu's repeated episodes of anger and his mentors' benign acceptance rather tiresome.
I also have trouble believing that genius can be present to the level which enables a pianist to smash out faultless Rachmaninov without much training.
But occasionally we need a heartwarming battle against adversity and perhaps In her Hands caught me on the right day.
I confess I warmed to it.

Reasons to watch: Engaging fight against adversity
Reasons to avoid: Labours some of its key points

Laughs: None
Jumps: None
Vomit: None
Nudity: None
Overall rating: 7/10

Did you know? Since its establishment by legislative decree of August 3, 1795, the Paris Conservatoire has functioned as the gateway to the upper echelons of classical music in France. It was founded to populate the new French Republic with bandsmen and theatre artists.

The final word. Ludovic Bernard: "In France we are truly blessed - we have music conservatoires in Paris in every suburb and also in every province and in every town. Most of them are open to all and free." 

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