Thirty-five francs ... not a fortune, but a necessity in the course of a Jewish teenage boy seeking to establish his own identity in life, so it seems. The story follows Moses ('Momo'), growing up with his father in the back streets of Paris. The area also happens to be a red-light district, much to Momo's ill fortune - or is that to his good fortune? A local Turkish Muslim storekeeper strikes up an acquaintance with the boy, and it is the development of this into a rich, rewarding friendship which provides the main storyline thread. Words of wisdom are injected by old Ibrahim at poignant moments. This part is carried off to perfection by Omar Sharif, which is really the only acting performance worthy of special note. Moses' father falls on bad times, through no fault of his own, and eventually abandons his son, leaving him to fend for himself. From here on, his relationship with Ibrahim really blossoms, to the point where formal adoption takes place. A trip to Turkey follows, where Ibrahim contentedly departs this world, having returned to his homeland after many years' absence. After mourning the loss of the old man, Moses returns to Paris, inheriting Ibrahim's deli business. There is a promising fleeting encounter between Moses and a neighbourhood girl his own age earlier in the piece, however, director Dupeyron teases us by cutting this short. All in all, an good average film, lifted a little above the ordinary by the presence and acting of Omar Sharif.
Review of Monsieur Ibrahim
