Toto The Hero

This 1991 film co-written and directed by sporadic (3 feature films in over 20 years) Belgian film-maker, Jaco Van Dormael, is a brilliantly made tale of regret, reflection and nostalgia (for childhood). I must admit that though I have known the film since its release it was not until recent repeat viewings that I have come to appreciate just how well constructed Van Dormael's film is, superbly shot (by cinematographer Walther van den Ende) and edited, and with a haunting score by the director's brother, Pierre (as well as repeatedly featuring the infectious Charles Trenet song, Boum!).The film's title is the (self-adopted) moniker of Thomas, swapped between parents in hospital as a new-born child and who (now as an elderly man in a care home, superbly played by Michel Bouquet) narrates his tale of rivalry with fellow swappee, Alfred, whose 'adopted' parents are able to provide him with a privileged upbringing. Van Dormael's tale is told in three parallel streams and intercut between them brilliantly and seamlessly - that of infant Thomas (Thomas Godet), his 'sister' Aice (Sandrine Blancke) - both child actors turning in outstanding performances - and mentally-handicapped 'brother' Celestin (Karim Moussati), then Thomas as a young adult (Jo De Backer) whose paths cross (in some superb fantasy sequences) with Alice lookalike, Evelyne (Mireille Perrier), and finally as the frail old man who is still bearing grudges against Alfred.Van Dormael's storytelling ability is infectious and mesmerising, relying as it does on an acute visual sense. His childhood thread is particularly impressive, shot from slightly below waist height to give a sense of a child's perspective (described in detail by Dormael in the excellent 'making of' DVD extra) and containing many skilfully engaging scenes, including that where Thomas and Alice threaten a statue of the Virgin Mary with retribution if their missing father is not returned safely from a flying trip and where Thomas' mother is caught pilfering steak from a supermarket. De Backer is also good as the young adult Thomas, whose discovery of Alice's doppelganger Evelyne keeps the audience guessing, but it is probably veteran actor Bouquet who steals the acting honours as the initially vengeful, elderly Thomas, who gradually realises that now, as a failed and disgraced businessman, the ageing Alfred has not had such an easy time of things.Oddly enough, the film Toto reminds me of most is Sergio Leone's Once Upon A Time In America. Obviously, in terms of scale the films couldn't be more different, but structurally they are quite similar - films split into 3 distinct eras, two old acquaintances being reunited after many years, the elderly Bouquet even bearing a slight resemblance to the elderly De Niro and some similarities between the films' scores, with Pierre Van Dormael's sounding Morricone-esque at times.I'm not sure it is really appropriate to compare Van Dormael's intimate film with Leone's (flawed) epic, but Toto The Hero remains a superb piece of film-making and comes highly recommended.

This has, for the last thirty years, remained my favourite film. When asked what my fave book or album is, I can't answer. For films it's Toto.I have lost track of the times I've watched it. I don't think I've ever rewatched and not seen something new. I have watched it with friends many times - some find it colourful, others worry for me (thinking it depressing) - but few can gauge this film at a first viewing.I knew I wasn't alone in appreciating this film when I saw it listed in the "Joy" section of a TimeOut film guide. It is entirely about revelling in the human condition. There are Shakespearian passages referencing the absolutes we live by in a universe not of our making, but there are extraordinary passages referencing that meaning we find in life for the love of one another, for those missed and for those we can still embrace.This is an absolute triumph of a film - and still the best I've ever seen.

This little known but masterful movie is a heartwarming fantasy without the schmaltz of many mainstream of today's "feel good" films. The story concerns an old man's curious notion in his old age that he may have been swapped at birth with the baby of a neighbouring family. He then ruefully recalls his early days in conflict with his nemesis(the other boy)with a sense of misplaced anger and vengeance. The episodes of his life are replayed as boys-own type adventures in flash-back style with a voice over driven by his new perspective. The performances by the two leads are compelling. The story and it's dramatic conclusion linger in the memory long after the credits have rolled. The movie receives only an occasional airing on TV and I only came across it by accident.The only complaint can be that this gem of a movie is not available on DVD. Why not ? The number of titles that have been re-issued on DVD is enormous and many of these should surely have remained in the graveyard of VHS. Even the VHS edition of this movie is hard to find being either prohibitively expensive for a brand new copy or only available as a second hand item (a risky proposition for VHS).If anyone has news on the imminent DVD appearance of this title or a reason for it's continued unavailability please post it on this review page.

My girlfriend at the time wanted to see a film in French, for some reason, and so we saw this pretty much at random. After, I was actually shaking from the effect the film had on me, didn't even try to discuss it with her. (We didn't last long, anyway). The film is about wishful thinking, with the central character trying, all his life, to imagine how (much better) things might have been. The acting is marvellous, the story extremely emotional without a trace of sentimentality. Since it's clear from the outset that it won't be a straightforward narrative, I can't understand how other reviewers have found it puzzling. I used to own the DVD, and lent it to someone - can't remember who - who obviously can't bear to part with it. So I await the arrival of copy number 2 with great impatience. I really do think the film is a masterpiece, and am amazed that it isn't famous. "The Eighth Day", also, is indispensable. .Van Dormeuil is obviously a major talent