The French drama In the Name of My Daughter uses three characters to probe the themes of obsession and betrayal – and all in a “based-on-facts” story. The ever-glorious Catherine Deneuve plays a dominant and proud casino owner, even desperately proud. Her adult daughter (Adèle Haenel) is a handful but is now vulnerable on the rebound. Her lawyer/fixer (Guillaume Canet) is ambitious and manipulative, and he believes that his smarts entitle him to rise above his station. Everyone FEELS betrayed and that brings on real betrayal.
Astonishingly, In the Name of My Daughter is based on a notorious true story. The end of the story becomes a courtroom procedural.
There’s plenty of eye candy in In the Name of My Daughter, particularly a thrilling motorcycle ride through gorgeous countryside and the casino town set on the Riviera.
The leads are very good, and so is the supporting cast, especially Mercier Guerin and Mauro Conte. There are sex scenes, but the sexiest moment is a fully clothed African dance performed by Haenel. And there’s a wonderful French version of Under the Boardwalk.
In the Name of My Daughter is available to stream from iTunes, Vudu, YouTube and Google Play.