Marrakech Film Festival Review: 'The Last Hammer Blow' A Subtle Coming Of Age Tale

Much of “The Last Hammer Blow,” the latest film from French writer-director Alix Delaporte, features scenes of its young protagonist, Victor (Romain Paul), in transit. He walks, runs, scooters, and hitches from place to place, never staying still, constantly on the move. This is probably an apt representation of his mental state—roving and restless. Victor doesn’t have much stability in his life: his mother (Clotilde Hesme) is sick, fragile, and dead broke, and the two live in a camper among a surf tribe of sorts at the beach. She’s prone to impulsive decisions and Victor is starting to realize he needs to take some responsibility for her.

At the same time, he’s also seeking out his father, an accomplished conductor in town to conduct Mahler’s 6th symphony. Victor starts stalking him at rehearsals, but the gruff Samuel (Gregory Gadebois) isn’t having it. Victor stays on him like a fly though, wanting something more than just the check the man offers. Victor is also in the running for...