They say never play opposite children or animals, and LEMMING is yet another proof of the wisdom of this old motto. This diminutive creature, a large mouse, or small "prairie dog" makes its first appearance all wet and nearly dead when it is pulled from the U-bend under Charlotte Gainsbourg's sink. From then on, this four-legged natural steals the show. It was the other Charlotte, Rampling, who was supposed to intrude only four times into this film and overwhelm it with her acting presence, but no, it's a lemming, a small rodent from Scandinavia that I have never seen, nobody in the audience has ever seen, but which is world-famous for committing suicide. During the film, as in all great films, we learn something new: that lemmings actually don't commit suicide, but die of exhaustion. This is a risky concept to introduce into a French art movie in case the audience thinks about their own stamina. But in this case, it works --- and triumphantly. Everyone eventually gets their fifteen minutes of fame and this is it for the nordic lemming, a small yet determined animal that definitely tries harder. This deliciously strange movie will keep you guessing from start to finish. All an elaborate charade, naturally, but impeccably entertaining. Strongly recommended, particularly for bosses and CEOs.
