Canet’s Karma Divides Critics After Cannes Screening

Overview

• Guillaume Canet wrote and directed Karma for Marion Cotillard, who plays Jeanne Langevin, a woman who returns to a closed religious community after her godson disappears.
• The film was shown out of competition at the Cannes Film Festival, a slot that gives visibility without entering the main prize race.
• L'Humanité called the film a flop and faulted a poorly constructed screenplay and intrusive visual effects for blunting the story's impact.
• Ouest-France offered a contrasting view, praising the film's bleak atmosphere and strong performances, especially from Denis Ménochet and Marion Cotillard, while noting the long running time.
• The split early response highlights a risk for Canet’s continued move in crime dramas: strong acting and a provocative subject are drawing attention even as storytelling and stylistic choices are under heavy scrutiny.