Borderline

Borderline (Lyne Charlebois, 2007)

Adapted from Marie-Sissi Labrèche's novel, Borderline is the story of a woman who suffers from the syndrome of being "borderline". This is a state of mind that makes these people emotionally fragile. They have a problem differencing their inside and outside emotions, they are extremely insecure and very impulsive persons. Not being a specialist in psychology stops me from defining this syndrome with much more depth. The movie can however be enjoyed without having to study psychology to fully understand the state of mind of the protagonist here.

 

Kiki (Isabelle Blais) is preparing her the dissertation of her Master and she is haunted by the ghosts of her past: her interned mother, the grand mother who raised here, her multiple lovers, and her absent father. We are the witness of her struggle since she was a child to accept and live her life with her condition. The work of many women on the film Blais, Charlebois, Labrèche is very palpable and they all had to uncover a part of their own to give to Borderline the raw and real feeling to it. Isabelle Blais' performance is more than extraordinary, she has all the depth and the subtlety that Kiki needed to be materialized on screen. Never overplaying or being vulgar, her presence is strong and confident in this fragile role.

The non-linear structure of the film places the life of Kiki like a well mounted puzzle that even if seen hundreds of times has its success. Lyne Charlebois' directing managed to be a reminiscent of Ingmar Bergman's understanding of women in masterpieces like The Silence or Cries and Whispers. The "mise en scène" is to the point and very unique. An unsettling film filled with amazing performances that opens minds and eyes on understanding and love.