Le magasin des suicides (2012) Reviews

• Dark Whimsy

  mushmanluvsmanga2012-08-24

  Not to be confused with family viewing, The Suicide Shop is filled with politically incorrect humour throughout that goes against the expected, including death, depression and nudity. That said, it is done well with comedy and has a wonderful French soundtrack. Those less accustomed to the wider range of animation in Europe may be left a bit baffled (or even insulted) by the narrative and design. There are many times that the references to suicide could be deemed offensive for those of a more sensitive nature. The animation is stylised and might not sit well with some. Equally there is something lacking in the ending that does not fit the tone instilled throughout. The Suicide Shop is however unashamedly bold in its genre - it is funny, heartwarming and wonderfully grim at times. A great film to watch for something different and aesthetically entertaining. I do not know if there is an English dub, but I strongly recommend the french version.

• Not flawless

  kosmasp2012-11-22

  Especially not the animation that might seem very low key to most (though that doesn't mean that a lot of work has been put behind the making of the movie). But the movie itself is really good. You think this is a one pun movie and it might feel like that to you. But you could also read a lot of social criticism into the movie. Whatever you do, be vary that the movie is not politically correct in any way, shape or form. If that's not your cup of tea, then the humor will annoy you and make you hate the movie. Better stay away from it then. But if you are open to it, you will be delighted by some scenes. It still has some clichés it needs to serve and you will get where this is going, but it's still entertaining enough throughout

• Suicide in 3D

  corrosion-22012-10-21

  Patrice Leconte has given us such gems as Monsieur Hire, Hairdresser's Husband and Ridicule. These could all be classed as "black comedies". Lately, however, his output has been disappointing with films such as the lame comedy Beauties at War. The Suicide Shop, which is a 3D animated musical, is at least a part return to form. Based on a graphic novel, the story concerns a family who run a shop selling all the means to commit suicide: poisons, ropes, razor blades, etc. Their sales pitch is to project a grim view of the world and encourage potential clients to top themselves. However when the the mother in the family gives birth to a new child, who has an ever optimistic view of life, things get complicated. The animation and the use of 3D are very creative though I did not find the songs (in French) that catchy.

• Utterly disappointing.

  voyou-703-6553502014-10-25

  This is not one of P.Leconte great films. The subject and poster are attractive, but the delivery is a complete let down to me. The story itself doesn't make any sense. The way the shop is presented, it is nothing more than a place where to buy weapons. Selling ropes, poisons and guns with only one bullet doesn't cut it. The shop isn't even secret. By the way, many of the customers should be murderers, but we don't see any. The son's joy is feared as it might cause a loss of customers, but it never does... Big lack of imagination in the general design. All this could be forgiven if balanced with small ideas, but there are very few of those, and most of them are deja vu. Suicide is illegal in public places, like in the comics Judge Dredd from the 70s. The family owes a lot to the Addams: the look of the father, the longing for death of almost all members... The humour falls flat. No grief or sadness is ever felt. Poetry is absent. The animation is average. And they sing, awful songs, like in a Disney product. If you're going to make a musical, you have to come up with a good score. Just compare what they wrote with the Charles Trenet's classic used in the starting credits. Yuck !

• Smile or you better die

  Ladiloque2014-07-04

  The vote is given just for the courage and depth of the allegory the movie tries to represent. I'm just updating my IMDb profile and noticed I forgot about this. I watched it more than 1 year ago so I can't remember all the details but - as one of the reviewers feels offended by the movie - I'm offended by the Victorian seriousness with which some people look at life; so offended that I feel like writing a review. The movie substantially depicts a dystopic western society where everything works just like for our society except for the fact that no one ever cares about enjoying his life. The result is that after years of struggling, boredom, anxiety, responsibilities and all other standard life ingredients (except for happiness), people decides to give up and suicide. And this final macabre destination is seen by everyone taking it as the greatest moment of their lives. Indeed this is not a children movie but simply because children couldn't appreciate it (as well as many adults as the rating here shows). Anyway I'm not sure any children would grow up as a worse person if he only had the chance to consider the suicide as an extreme demonstration of free will instead of the usual "may be the end of everything", "coward escape", "poor parents and friends", "hell" perspective. Sure, it may well be some of these, but I don't think it is up to anyone else but you to decide or judge that you can still suffer some more. I won't go into too many details, I'll just add that I don't think this is a masterpiece: this is a simple yet really deep movie for all those people too busy with their lives to recognize that the most universal right for everyone should be that of being happy. And this is also a moving declaration of freedom for all the ones who suffer and decides to give up. Being offended by a free decision like that is just the attitude of people who thinks they know it better (and religions are the most offended by free decisions involving suicide since the fear of death is their usual grip on people's minds). Everyone suffers, everyone dies, try to smile with your time and try to make other people smile too. Anyway you can always give up.