Declaration of War (Valerie Donzelli, 2011): France

Reviewed by Krista Marquez. Viewed at the Santa Barbara Film Festival, 2012.

Declaration of War is an emotional and poetic story about a family’s dire fight against cancer.  When Romeo and Juliette meet, it is love at first sight, but their fateful doom is foreshadowed.  What starts as cheerful romance becomes a tragic struggle when they learn that their eighteen month old son, Adam, has developed brain cancer.  Valerie Donzelli (Iris in Bloom, Hand in Hand) is the star and director of the dramatic and life-like Declaration or War.  The power of unity brings this young couple hope in their son’s struggle against cancer.

This film primarily takes place outside of Paris in a pediatric hospital.  Juliette (Donzelli) and Romeo (Jeremie Elkaim) must quit their jobs, sell their apartment and live in the hospital at Adam’s bedside in order to give their son the best treatment they can.  The couple tries to stay strong with the support of their families and each other, but their overwhelming reality indeed takes its toll.  The use of white, artificial light and ambient sounds bring the viewer into the hospital and aid in in feeling the same stresses as Romeo and Juliette.  Specific visual alterations and unconventional use of the camera give this film a dramatic and emotional sense to the viewer.  On the other hand, the bonding relationship between Romeo and Juliette bestows an uplifting balance and an offering of hope.

Declaration of War is not a light-hearted film, but rather a possible and dreadful reality to some.  This blend of romance and drama also solidifies the fact that support and unity from the ones around them help the family’s fight and encourage strength althemore, something we can all learn and apply to our own lives.