Misericordia (R) - 104 minutes

Misericordia is a dark French comedy, cum psychological drama, set in a village where residents hardly sleep at night and there is a cover up afoot.

The movie starts with the death of the beloved village baker, Jean-Pierre Rigal (Serge Richard), a man in his early 60s.

Returning for the funeral is his former employee, Jeremie Pastor (Felix Kysyl), who grew up in the village and went to school there.

Jeremie loved Jean-Pierre and was close to his wife, Martine (Catherine Frot), who warmly welcomes him.

Not so, Martine’s hot-headed son, Vincent (Jean Baptiste-Durand), who isn’t keen to see him again (the pair went to the same school).

That becomes perfectly clear as Martine at first puts Jeremie up for the night, before he stays on.

Jeremie takes the opportunity to reacquaint himself with another former classmate, Walter Bonchamp (David Ayala), who is surprised at his interest in him.

Also in the picture is the local priest, L'abbé Philippe Griseul (Jacques Develay).

He, like many village folk, is keen to forage for freely growing, wild, edible mushrooms (porcini) that proliferate.

The confrontations between Vincent and Jeremie continue, until the whole village becomes involved in the fallout.

The deliberate, relatively sombre tone of the piece is overlaid with some of the surprising turns Misericordia takes as the narrative develops.

The title, which translates to mercy, is appropriate to what we see unfold. Morality is upended.

Misericordia is a film about needs and wants … about desire. Writer and director Alain Guiraudie cleverly cultivates mystery, before the storyline opens up.

There is a quaint, old-world charm about the village, as if time has stood still there.

I like the sensibilities imbued into the respective characterisations.

Felix Kysyl is grounded as Jeremie, Catherine Frot understanding and tolerant as Martine.

Jean Baptiste-Durand brings intensity to Vincent, while David Ayala finds himself caught out as Walter.

There is more to L'abbé Philippe Griseul as the priest than at first meets the eye.

Importantly, while Misericordia has dialogue, even without words being spoken, much is said with the looks in the actors’ eyes when interacting.

Feelings rise to the surface, but are dealt with unconventionally. The twists are what allow the movie to take flight and keep us wanting more.

Rated R, Misericordia scores an 8 out of 10.