Film Review
Director Christian Vincent's follow up to his widely acclaimed debut feature
La Discrète (1990), which won him two Césars in 1991
(for Best First Film and Best Original Screenplay), is this low-key comedy drama depicting
a group of young people trying (and failing) to live together in
harmony.
Whilst it may have less substance and impact than Vincent's first feature,
Beau fixe is still an engaging piece that is well written,
well directed and shows no shortage of
talent in its cast of young and mostly unfamiliar actors. The most
recognisable faces in the cast are Fabrice Luchini and Judith Henry,
the latter of whom was honoured with a César for her
performance in the director's previous film - both actors are
a delight and add greatly to the film's gentle humour and understated authenticity.
As he would subsequently demonstrate on his later films,
La Séparation (1994),
Sauve-moi (2000)
and
Les Saveurs du Palais (2012),
Christian Vincent's forte is the intimate slice-of-life drama in
which he explores, with truth, delicacy and a smattering of well-judged irony, the complexities of human
relationships.
Beau fixe is not his most memorable film
but it brims with honesty and a sunny charm.
© James Travers 2002
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Next Christian Vincent film:
La Séparation (1994)
Film Synopsis
One summer, a young medical student, Valérie, invites her three friends,
Armelle, Frédérique and Carine, to study with her at her family
villa in the coastal resort of Saint-Palais-sur-Mer. When Armelle and
Frédérique fall out, the other two girls have their work cut
out trying to restore harmony to the group and prevent the week from being
a total disaster. Just as the girls are settling into a routine Valérie's
cousin, Francis, turns up unexpectedly to carry out a spot of household maintenance.
The young man's presence proves to be an unwelcome distraction, and his attempts
to make friends with the girls backfire as he finds himself on the receiving
end of their cruel sense of humour. By now, the girls have lost interest
in their studies and the group starts to fragment. Frédérique
falls for a boy but after spending a night together he tells her he doesn't
want to see her again. When she receives a visit from her boyfriend
Jérôme, Valérie realises she no longer loves him and
her thoughts turn to going back to Paris. As the girls take their leave
of the villa they part with Francis on good terms.
© James Travers
The above content is owned by filmsdefrance.com and must not be copied.