La Fille seule (1995)
Directed by Benoît Jacquot

Film Review

Despite its simplicity, La Fille seule is an extraordinarily compelling film, offering a profound and revealing insight into the mind of a rebellious young woman who suddenly finds herself saddled with the burden of motherhood.  The film essentially consists of an introductory and concluding discussion between the main protagonists Valérie and Rémi, sandwiched around the bulk of the film, which is a quiet but visually captivating portrait of Valérie's first day at work.  The film ends with a short epilogue which takes place a few years after the main part of the film, principally to show what Valérie decides to do to resolve the dilemmas she was seen struggling with in the earlier part of the film.

Excluding the epilogue, the film takes place in real time, staying with the central character Valérie throughout, giving the impression that the spectator is following her around, developing a very deep rapport with the character.  The reason why this is so effective (when it could so easily have resulted in tedium) arises from a combination of some great photography and an equally impressive performance from Virginie Ledoyen.  The eloquence in the cinematography makes up for the lack of dialogue and the polished, claustrophobic interior of the hotel, inter-cut with rushed scenes in the kitchen, perfectly reflect the isolation and vulnerability of a young woman who has reached a crisis point in her life.  Ledoyen's performance is superlative, the actress managing to convey a range of conflicting emotions (often simultaneously) which gives her character so much depth and conviction that, by the end of the film, you really do feel that you have known her intimately for years.

La Fille seule offers a refreshing change from the bulk of contemporary cinema, which is increasingly event-orientated.  This film is the total opposite, unapologetically character-centric, eschewing melodrama in favour of a more subtle approach, one which actively engages the spectator.  Benoît Jacquot's approach may be unusual but it is irresistibly alluring.

Film Synopsis

Early one morning, Valérie meets up as agreed with her boyfriend Rémi at a café neat St-Lazare station in Paris.  The young woman perfunctorily announces that she is pregnant and asks Rémi what his plans are.  Stunned the young man is at a loss for words.  He knows that there is nothing he can offer his girlfriend.  He is unemployed, has no money of his own and lives with his parents.  He needs time to digest his girlfriend's latest news and make up his mind as to what to do next.  Valérie gives him exactly one hour.

Leaving her boyfriend contemplating his future, the young woman hurries away to start her first day as a chambermaid in an exclusive hotel.  The work proves to be far more stressful than anticipated, and it is hard to know who pose the greater threat to Valérie's sanity - the hotel patrons or her pernickety superiors.  Once the hour is up, the young woman returns to the café and finds that Rémi still hasn't reached a decision.  Valérie makes up his mind for him.  She will end their relationship and bring up their child by herself...