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Declaration of War

Original title: La guerre est déclarée
  • 20112011
  • Not RatedNot Rated
  • 1h 40m
IMDb RATING
7.0/10
5.2K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
76,228
23,334
Declaration of War (2011)
When a young couple learn their new born child is very ill, they confront the 
Ordeal together as a form of warfare.
Play trailer1:34
1 Video
14 Photos
Drama
When their young son is diagnosed with a brain tumor, young parents Roméo and Juliette unite in the fight for his survival.When their young son is diagnosed with a brain tumor, young parents Roméo and Juliette unite in the fight for his survival.When their young son is diagnosed with a brain tumor, young parents Roméo and Juliette unite in the fight for his survival.
IMDb RATING
7.0/10
5.2K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
76,228
23,334
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Director
      • Valérie Donzelli
    • Writers
      • Valérie Donzelli
      • Jérémie Elkaïm
    • Stars
      • Valérie Donzelli
      • Jérémie Elkaïm
      • César Desseix
    Top credits
    • Director
      • Valérie Donzelli
    • Writers
      • Valérie Donzelli
      • Jérémie Elkaïm
    • Stars
      • Valérie Donzelli
      • Jérémie Elkaïm
      • César Desseix
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 11User reviews
    • 107Critic reviews
    • 73Metascore
    • Awards
      • 10 wins & 11 nominations

    Videos1

    U.S. Version
    Trailer 1:34
    U.S. Version

    Photos14

    Jérémie Elkaïm and Valérie Donzelli in Declaration of War (2011)
    Jérémie Elkaïm and Valérie Donzelli in Declaration of War (2011)
    Jérémie Elkaïm and Valérie Donzelli in Declaration of War (2011)
    Jérémie Elkaïm and Valérie Donzelli in Declaration of War (2011)
    Jérémie Elkaïm and Valérie Donzelli in Declaration of War (2011)
    Declaration of War (2011)
    Declaration of War (2011)
    Declaration of War (2011)
    Declaration of War (2011)
    Declaration of War (2011)
    Declaration of War (2011)
    Declaration of War (2011)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Valérie Donzelli
    Valérie Donzelli
    • Juliette
    Jérémie Elkaïm
    Jérémie Elkaïm
    • Roméo Benaïm
    César Desseix
    • Adam Benaïm à 18 mois
    Gabriel Elkaïm
    • Adam Benaïm à 8 ans
    Brigitte Sy
    Brigitte Sy
    • Claudia Benaïm - la mère de Roméo
    Elina Löwensohn
    Elina Löwensohn
    • Alex - la compagne de Claudia
    Michèle Moretti
    • Geneviève - la mère de Juliette
    Philippe Laudenbach
    Philippe Laudenbach
    • Philippe - le père de Juliette
    Bastien Bouillon
    • Nikos
    Béatrice de Staël
    • Le docteur Ghislaine Prat - la pédiatre
    Anne Le Ny
    Anne Le Ny
    • Le docteur Fitoussi - la neuropédiatre
    Frédéric Pierrot
    Frédéric Pierrot
    • Le professeur Sainte-Rose
    Elisabeth Dion
    • Le docteur Kalifa de l'IGR
    Pauline Gaillard
    • Un narrateur
    • (voice)
    Philippe Barassat
    • Un narrateur
    • (voice)
    Valentine Catzéflis
    Valentine Catzéflis
    • Narratrice
    • (voice)
    Julie Peugeot
    • La première nfirmière
    Serge Bozon
    • Le gifleur à la fête
    • Director
      • Valérie Donzelli
    • Writers
      • Valérie Donzelli
      • Jérémie Elkaïm
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The film takes its inspiration from what actually happened to Valérie Donzelli and Jérémie Elkaïm, whose child fell seriously ill.
    • Crazy credits
      The end credits start with: "Pour Gabriel" (For Gabriel) and "Pour les médicins, les infirmières et l'hôpital public" (For the doctors, the nurses and the public hospital).
    • Connections
      Features Liquid Crystals (1978)
    • Soundtracks
      Générique de l'émission Radioscopie
      Composed by Georges Delerue

      (P) 1970 Les Éditions des Alouettes

    User reviews11

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    Intimate, affecting portrayal of a couple's struggle to survive
    This film is the story of a couple whose only son (Adam) is diagnosed with cancer, but it's by no means a weepie, as from very early in the film, we learn that Adam pulls through. So, what does this leave us with? Well, perhaps more interestingly, the movie becomes more about Roméo (Jérémie Elkaïm) and Juliette's (Valérie Donzelli) struggle to stay together. With knowledge of Adam's safety in the bank, we can concentrate on the two main protagonists, and whether they will be able to survive as a unit.

    The film is also scripted by the pair, and directed by Donzelli, and it must be said, they are a remarkable duo. Their on-screen characters are very likeably played, if a little saccharine sweet while they fall in love in the first twenty minutes. However, while some of the early musical interludes might jar a little, they don't feel entirely out of place with the scenario. Their relationship forms the beating heart of this movie though, and they play off each other beautifully, gradually winning the audience round, and permitting forgiveness for the conceit of their characters' names!

    Bringing a rather sudden end to the romantic beginnings, new baby Adam arrives on the scene, and all is not rosy in the garden from very early on. Parents beware, the quarter of an hour that gradually builds up to Adam's diagnosis is as genuinely affecting a movie sequence as I can remember from any recent movie outing (and I'm only an uncle!)

    And from there it becomes about coping, about managing, and about survival. As I said, the audience is blessed with the foreknowledge that the couple do not have, so we're in a privileged position, but as Roméo and Juliette soldier on, rising to every new challenge and facing up to every fresh heartbreaking piece of news, you are still right there with them. Their support networks too, play an important role in the movie, but really this is the story of Roméo and Juliette's struggle to survive.

    If cinema is about escapism, then 'Declaration of War' will certainly transport you, placing you right in the middle of this young couple's lives as they battle with something you wouldn't wish on your worst enemy.

    I can't recommend it highly enough for lovers of French film, or possibly even just for parents who need a reminder of how lucky they are. It's bordering on stereotypical, picture-postcard French in the opening twenty minutes as the two central characters tombent amoureuses... but kind of suits the mood and is perhaps intentional. Two excellent central performances make it very watchable, but an excellent narrative device elevates this story from a traditional weepie into entirely more interesting territory. A real contender for the Oscar next March.
    helpful•20
    5
    • PaddyCMR
    • Nov 22, 2011

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 31, 2011 (France)
    • Country of origin
      • France
    • Official sites
      • Official Facebook
      • Official site (France)
    • Language
      • French
    • Also known as
      • Yaşam Savaşı
    • Filming locations
      • Marseille, Bouches-du-Rhône, France
    • Production companies
      • Rectangle Productions
      • Wild Bunch
      • Canal+
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $59,100
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $12,791
      • Jan 29, 2012
    • Gross worldwide
      • $7,691,610
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 40 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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