In “Reste un peu”, the second film he has made (after Coco in 2008), the Franco-Moroccan actor and comedian signs a very personal comedy, in which he plays himself. He recounts with humor and tact his journey of faith which led him to request baptism in the Catholic Church and to question his Jewish roots.
An inconceivable spiritual change for his parents, Sephardic Jews, – who also play their own roles. When they see him land in France after three years in the United States, they are delighted to see their prodigal son return to the fold, but they are far from suspecting the real reason for his return: his baptism.
Gad Elmaleh lighting candles in church.
Tension between Jewish faith and fascination for the Virgin Mary
However, in several scenes, Gad remains unclear about his religious beliefs, such as the part where we see him watching at his parents’ house, in the evening in his bed a Marian procession, and that he suddenly closes his computer screen when he sees his mother come to his room. And the latter of him says: “that he is great and that he does what he wants”. Later, she will be surprised and above all disappointed to discover the real reason for her son’s return by putting away her belongings and discovering, in her suitcase, a statue of the Virgin Mary.
Gad Elmaleh and his parents in Rest a little.
Other humorous scenes follow one another, where we discover his career as a catechumen in the parish of Sainte-Cécile de Boulogne, the discussions he was able to have with a nun from the community of the Beatitudes, as well as Father Barthélémy, priest de Sainte-Cécile, who also plays her “real” role in the film.
In short, from the beginning to the end of the film, we really feel this tension in Gad Elmaleh, between the Jewish faith of his family heritage and his inexplicable attraction for the Virgin Mary from a very young age when he crossed, despite the prohibition of his parents, the doors of the church of Casablanca where he grew up, and that he found himself in front of a statue of the mother of Jesus.
Gad Elmaleh facing the status of the Virgin Mary in the church
Gad Elmaleh sitting with a nun in Rest a little.
Will Gad convert to Catholicism?
Finally, is it truth or mere fiction? Did Gad Elmaleh really get baptized or is it the midlife crisis that takes over? The comedian maintains the suspense, he who does not want to shock or disappoint his dear parents. One thing is certain, for some time now, the comedian has been sending discreet signals by visiting the sanctuary of Paray-le-Monial, talking to Cardinal Sarah or even, more recently, taking theology courses at college. of the Bernardines. So will he ever convert? To be continued…