The Freshmen

Presented by Thomas Lilti, the mind behind the acclaimed movie Hippocrates: Diary of a French Doctor, the 2018 French comedy-drama The Freshmen (Première Année) is a hard look at the rigorous, high-pressure world of medical education. The film stars a pair of tremendously appealing and talented actors; Vincent Lacoste, known for his lauded performances in French cinema, and the upcoming William Lebghil. Michel Lerousseau supports the main duo, serving as a mentor-figure to the vibrant leads.

The film forms a captivating narrative about medical students, their grueling path to success, and the tough competition that fuels their daily lives. It serves to illuminate a very niche but intensely strenuous subsection of higher education, scarcely explored with such detail and sincerity.

The narrative begins following two main characters, Benjamin (Vincent Lacoste) and Antoine (William Lebghil). Benjamin is fresh out of high school, stepping into his first year of medical school with bright eyes and a hopeful heart. Coming from a family of doctors, Benjamin has quite a legacy to hold up. In contrast, Antoine has already experienced this challenge, having repeated his first year several times without success. The drive to succeed has become an obsession for Antoine, and his character is defined by this fierce determination.

Première Année is a story of struggle but also friendship, as these two individuals form an unlikely bonding impressed by their shared ambition in the world of medicine. The evolution and dynamic between the two characters form the central point of the film, offering viewers an emotionally nuanced depiction of friendship amidst the grueling setting of medical school.

While the comedic undertones of the film make it enjoyable, The Freshmen doesn't shy away from showing the harsh reality of academia. The characters work themselves to near collapse, study day and night, and sacrifice much of their personal lives in the name of ambition. The film successfully displays the mentally and physically exhausting rigors that medical students must endure and the heavy toll it exacts on their lives.

Excellently directed by Lilti, who himself attended medical school, provides an authentic glimpse into his recollections of competitive study and healthcare practice. This makes Lacoste and Lebghil's performances even more commendable as they convincingly portray sheer exhaustion and their characters' sheer will to carry on.

The film has been praised not only for its compelling story and performances but for its authentic, realistic portrayal of the medical world. This includes showing characters traversing unpaved paths, pitting themselves against one another and their own mental and physical limits, and occasionally questioning their chosen path.

Vincent Lacoste is remarkable as Benjamin, a young, optimistic first-year student who slowly realizes the import of his choice, shifting from an almost nonchalant self-assuredness to a student fighting to hold his own. On the other hand, William Lebghil excellently portrays the pressure-battered Antoine, displaying a range of emotion, from desperation to hope, fear to resilience. Their on-screen friendship dances between camaraderie and rivalry, making for a captivating and dynamic viewing experience.

Structured around the first year of medical school – known for being notoriously intense - the narrative is packed with drama, tension, exhilaration, and occasional heartbreak. As Benjamin and Antoine navigate this unchartered journey, viewers can't help but empathetically root for them, and feel the tremble of their failures and triumphs.

Notwithstanding the drama, the immense pressure, and the turbulent journey, The Freshmen also celebrates the unbeatable resilience of the human spirit, the power of dreams, and the profound satisfaction derived from the pursuit of passion.

The Freshmen strikes a balance between a heartwarming coming-of-age story and a sobering account of the stressful life of those in the medical field. The film successfully entertains while opening viewers' eyes to the sacrifices and dedication it takes to earn the right to save lives. Through its nuanced storytelling, excellent performances, and authentic portrayal of medical academia, The Freshmen offers a viewing experience that is both enlightening and emotionally resonant.