Rendez-vous (1985) - film review

Nina is a young woman who goes to Paris to become an actress.  She meets Paulot, a young estate agent, who is instantly attracted towards her. Paulot’s flatmate, Quentin, is also fascinated by Nina, and forces his attentions on her.  When he finds that she has slept with Quentin, Paulot starts to lose interest in Nina, even though he still has a physical craving for her.  After Quentin is killed in a road accident, Nina is haunted by his ghost whilst she struggles to rehearse her role as Juliette in a performance of Romeo and Juliette...

Rendez-vous is a dark yet powerful examination of love and sexual desire from the point of view of three emotionally scarred young people.  It is stunningly photographed and boasts some fine acting, with a tense plot that has the feel of a psychological thriller.

Taking centre stage is the superlative Juliette Binoche, in her first major screen role.  She plays the aspiring actress Nina, a young woman tormented by sexual guilt and emotional insecurity.  In a credible and moving performance, Binoche shows her formidable acting talent and also shows how well-suited she is to Téchiné’s cinema.  There are also fine supporting performances from her co-stars Lambert Wilson  and Wadeck Stanczack, not forgetting a touching cameo presence from Jean-Louis Trintingant.

Director André Téchiné is renowned for his atmospheric, emotionally charged films.  Often, his style comes across as being too heavy, stifling characterisation and overwhelming the plot.  However, in some of his films – and this is a prime example – his style works perfectly to complement the subject of his film.

© James Travers 2000

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