La Lectrice
1988 Comedy / Drama / Romance
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Credits
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Summary
Constance is asked by her boyfriend to read out loud a novel in which a young woman called
Marie decides to become a professional reader. Having placed an advertisement in
the paper, Marie is offered work by a curious mix of clients, including a wheel-bound
young man, an elderly widow who thrives on Tolstoy and Marx, and a love hungry executive
interested only in pornography. As she reads, Constance becomes embroiled in the
story and imagines herself in the part of Marie…
Review
This is a film which is not just about the pleasure of reading but also about the power
it has to alter our perception of the world, offering us new experiences which can be
as profound as anything in real life. It is a bizarre thing to say, but watching
this film is strangely like reading a book. The way in which the film draws its
viewer into its subject is as subtle and effective as if it were a well written novel.
One peculiarity of the film is the way in which the viewer is led to identify him or herself with the reader, Constantine, who identifies herself with the reader Marie, who, in turn, identifies herself with her clients. This Russian doll nesting of world within worlds provides an unsettlingly unfamiliar yet ultimately pleasurable cinematic experience. Michel Deville’s quirky brand of comedy is helped along with a captivating performance from Miou-Miou, providing some moments of genuine hilarity. There are some splendid contributions from Patrick Chesnais and veteran actress Maria Casarès, whose O.T.T. performances provide a perfect foil to Miou-Miou’s subtle yet far from innocent portrayal of Marie. © James Travers 2000 Write a review for this film... |
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