Summary
Bernard is a successful car dealer with a beautiful and adoring wife. His life is
turned upside-down when he falls in love with his secretary, Colette. Although she
is rather plain and somewhat vulgar, Bernard is overwhelmed by his passion for Colette,
who feels just as strongly about him, even though she too is married...
Review
Bertrand Blier’s most impressive film to date, Trop belle pour toi is an intensely
melancholic and moving portrait of obsession and marital infidelity starring France’s
leading actor, Gérard Depardieu. When the film was released it received mixed reviews
from film critics but it went on to earn a brace of prestigious awards, including the
Grand Jury Prize at Cannes in 1989 and three Césars in 1990 (best film, best script
and best director).
Although less anarchistic and extreme than Blier’s preceding films, Trop belle pour
toi is just as unpredictable, surprising and absorbing. What is most remarkable
is how Blier can take such a simple, almost trite, plot and transform it into a work of
profound significance and depth. With the narrative switching seemlessly between
past and present, Blier cleverly develops his characters and show how the unlikely affair
between a successful businessman and his plain secretary transforms the lives of these
characters and their respective spouses.
Blier is masterfully served by his talented lead actors, with Depardieu, Josiane Balasko
and Carole Bouquet turning in some of their finest performances. Add to that some
mesmerising photography and a well-crafted script (in which Blier’s dark humour is evident
as ever) and the result cannot fail to be a major cinematic achievement.
© James Travers 2002
Bertrand Blier is one of the most respected French film directors in
France and worldwide. Trop
belle pour toi is full of surrealist moments, in that Blier
creates a situation that is for real or not there at all. Once
drawn in, I could hardly take my eyes off the screen. No matter
how old this film is, it will always appeal every time it is
seen The storyline is based on daily occurrences. A
well-to-do car salesman, married to femme fatale Carole Bouquet, falls
for an average looking secretary. One of my favourite moments is
the movie score, Franz Schubert piano sonatas and Quartet - Oh!
it is wonderful. The main characters’ son listens to Schubert for
a school assignment and the father hates the "sad" music and yet it
enchants and captures him in a spur of the moment.
One of the protagonists says to a stranger "I have just spent three
hours making love." "Wait a minute, why are you telling me this?" she
replies. "Good news needs to be shared" - absolutely
hilarious. The wife becomes worried about the new woman.
She awaits by the phone for her lover to call, now is this real or a
dream? Blier provides no easy answers but let the viewers
decide. Ever since I saw Mon
Homme Blier has always been my favourite filmmaker.
Gérard Depardieu and Carole Bouquet are at the top of their game
with truly beautiful, emotional and excellent performances. I
bought my DVD from Amazon UK R2. Oh! buy it for Schubert's piano
music and it will break your heart and yet you will love it. The
ending, wow! just great, I laughed out loud and called my friends to
come over the following day to see it. This film is for initiated
French movie fans otherwise you will get lost along the way the first
time, but on second viewing you won’t. Absolutely thrilling
film. 4 stars.
© Thanda Makhathini 2008 (South Africa)
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