Ma femme s’appelle reviens (1982) - film review

When his wife walks out of him after five years of stormy marriage, Bernard decides to move into a block of flats for single men and women.  His neighbour Nadine is having an equally hard time.  Having been dumped by her boyfriend Terry she has suffered a series of disastrous rencontres with seemingly pleasant young men.  United in their failed love lives, Bernard and Nadine strike up an immediate rapport, but their friendship soon turns to love.  Can this be for real, or are they both setting themselves up for yet another disappointment…?

This bittersweet romantic comedy from director Patrice Leconte would be easily forgotten were it not for the contributions from its two lead actors.  Michel Blanc and Anémone have a great on-screen rapport and bring both pathos and humour to their portrayals of two lovelorn individuals.  Blanc featured in Leconte’s previous hit ( Les Bronzés, 1978) and went on to enjoy a hugely successful career as both an actor and director.   Likewise Anémone’s career flourished after this film, becoming a popular and highly regarded actress.   Whilst this film lacks the depth and maturity of Leconte’s later and better-known work, and is certainly much lighter, it casts a wry eye over an easily recognisable human situation with poignancy and some well-judged comedy.


© James Travers 2005

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