Summary
Billy, a construction worker in the South of France, decides to get
married, not because he is in love, but because he feels it is what is
expected of him. Tragically, on the day of his marriage, he meets
another woman, Viviane, to whom he is instantly attracted.
Recently divorced, she lives alone with her young son, in the same
apartment where Billy lives with his wife Nina. Keeping to
himself the fact that he is married, Billy begins a passionate love
affair with Viviane. Then he discovers that Nina is pregnant and
he has no choice but to tell Viviane the truth...
Review
This well-observed sentimental drama tells a poignant love story which,
despite its banality, brims with charm and sincerity. It was the
first film to be directed by Bernard Stora, who rarely achieved
anything quite as noteworthy in his subsequent career. The film
also affords Richard Berry one of his most memorable screen roles, with
the actor putting in what is quite possibly his best performance.
Le Jeune marié is a likeable film but it isn’t without its faults. The scripting is a little sloppy in some places and the second half is somewhat less convincing and less coherent than the first. However, the quality of the performances and cinematography at least partly compensate for this and Stora’s evident inexperience as a director brings a sense of freshness and spontaneity which seems appropriate for the film. This may not be a perfect piece of cinema but it has a pleasing lyrical quality, making it a deeply ironic parable on the transience of love.
© James Travers 2008
Write a review for this film...
Le Jeune marié is a likeable film but it isn’t without its faults. The scripting is a little sloppy in some places and the second half is somewhat less convincing and less coherent than the first. However, the quality of the performances and cinematography at least partly compensate for this and Stora’s evident inexperience as a director brings a sense of freshness and spontaneity which seems appropriate for the film. This may not be a perfect piece of cinema but it has a pleasing lyrical quality, making it a deeply ironic parable on the transience of love.
© James Travers 2008
Write a review for this film...
User Comments
Useful links
- Best French films of 2011
- Best French films of the 2000s
- Best of the French New Wave
- Best of French film comedy
- The best 100 French films
- The most successful French films
- Great French filmmakers
Related links
- Other French films of the 1980s
- The best French films of the 1980s
- Other French comedy-dramas
- The best French comedy-dramas
- Biography and films of Bernard Stora
To buy this film
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Credits
- Director: Bernard Stora
- Script: Bernard Stora, Luc Béraud
- Photo: Ricardo Aronovich
- Music: Luis Enríquez Bacalov
- Cast: Richard Berry (Billy), Brigitte Fossey (Viviane), Zoé Chauveau (Nina), Richard Anconina (Baptiste), Daniel Russo (Durbec), Nadia Barentin (Nina’s mother), André Dupon (Galopian), Laure Duthilleul (Catherine), Sylvie Orcier (Bernadette), Jean Benguigui (Pierrot), Michel Such (Verdino)
- Country: France
- Language: French
- Runtime: 90 min
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Comedy / Drama / Romance


