Endorphine is about Simone de Koninck, who witnesses the murder of her mother. André Turpin shows us Simone in 3 different forms: Simone at 13 (Sophie Nélisse), 25 (Mylène Mackay), and 60 (Lise Roy).
The 13-year-old version is seeing a hypnotherapist (Anne-Marie Cadieux) who tries to get Simone to remember so she can process what happened. We also see Simone's parents in flashbacks (Monia Chokri and Stéphane Crête).
The film travels between the different versions of Simone and the impact of her mother's death. In the middle version, Simone is dealing with panic attacks. In the oldest version, Simone is a physicist giving a conference on the nature of time.
The majority of the film dwells on the youngest version. This version also interacts with her cousin Gregoire (Théodore Pellerin). Simone wants to faint but isn't sure how to do that. Gregoire helps her to faint by choking her. At another point, Simone wants Gregoire to French her so she will know how.
Robert Morin gives us a challenging script to follow. Trying to follow everything is a valiant effort. Our best advice is to do the best you can.
Nélisse has to do a lot and she is great to watch. See the film if for nothing else than her performance.
The 2015 film was Turpin's first full-length feature since Un crabe dans la tête | Soft Shell Man in 2001. He also directed the Jules & Fanny segment in Cosmos (1996). Long-time readers will know both of those films were submitted by Canada for the Academy Awards.
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Difficult to follow and a complex plot with wonderful acting. If this combination suits your fancy, you will have a good time watchinfg Endorphine.
Endorphine is available in the United States on Tubi.
video credit: YouTube/New Trailer Buzz
photo credit: Endorphine
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