Théo is put up for adoption by his biological mother on the day of his birth. It is a birth under anonymity. The mother has two months to reconsider her decision… or not. The child welfare services and the adoption service take action.
Some people have to take care of the baby, carry him (in every sense of the word) during this suspended time, this phase of uncertainty. Others must find the woman who will become his adoptive mother.
Her name is Alice, and she has been fighting for ten years to have a child. “Pupille” is the story of the meeting between Alice, 41, and Théo, three months old.
No one was expecting it at all, except maybe those who had seen “Elle l’adore,” the first feature film by Jeanne Herry.
Her new film is both humane and touching and allows us to fully realize everything that is set in motion behind the word adoption, a magnificent emotional dive into the long journey of adoption, through all the participants, from the birth of the child in anonymity to the foster family. A work that brilliantly shines a sensitive spotlight on unseen social heroes.
This film is also carried by quality actors, with special mention to Gilles Lelouche, surprisingly natural in this role of a social worker, genuinely moving in sincerity, in a performance full of discreet emotions.
All the actresses are exceptionally good, beginning with Elodie Bouchez, who has some extremely moving scenes, but all have their role to play in the process, as in the film. There are situations that we might think we know but only see from afar.
