Film Review
This film was developed from a storyline written by François Truffaut in 1983 (shortly
after having completed his last film
Vivement Dimanche!). It was taken up
by Claude Miller, who worked as Truffaut's assistant director on a number of his films.
Whether consciously intended or not, François Truffaut's presence is strangely
felt in this film and the film closely resembles his own work in many ways.
Miller has established himself as a fine director in his own right and
La Petite voleuse
is a respectable piece of French cinema. It boasts some enchanting photography
and an engaging performance from a young Charlotte Gainsbourg, who plays the traumatised
teenager Janine to perfection. The film's strength is its attention to character development
- you get to know and care about everyone who appears in this film, even some of the minor
characters.
The only unpardonable sin that the film commits is the gratuitous insertion of Pathé
newsreel extracts. Obviously this was intended to give a feel for the times in which
the film was set, but all it seems to do is make an unwelcome brash intrusion into an
otherwise compelling film.
© James Travers 2000
The above content is owned by filmsdefrance.com and must not be copied.
Next Claude Miller film:
Le Sourire (1994)
Film Synopsis
In the 1950s, 16-year-old Janine lives with her aunt and uncle in a French
provincial town after being abandoned by her mother. Bored with her
life and her unsympathetic relatives, she resorts to stealing whatever she
can lay her hands on - food, cigarettes, lingerie, even luxury items like
expensive silk scarves. She dreams of being rich and famous, like the
movie stars she adulates. Once her guardians have had their fill of
her, Janine is forced to work as a maid for a wealthy family, the Longuets.
Taking advantage of her new freedom, Janine goes out in the evenings
and one day strikes up an acquaintance with a man who is passionate about
poetry, Michel Davenne. Although he is a married man, Michel is easily
tempted by the lively teenager and they soon become lovers. He even
teaches Janine how to type. It isn't long before Janine grows
tired of this relationship and soon switches her attention to a younger,
freer man, Raoul, who shares her wild zest for life. Janine enjoys
several carefree days with Raoul by the sea before she is arrested and placed
in an institution run by some nuns. Of course she does not remain here
long. Janine then finds she is pregnant and makes up her mind to have
an abortion...
© James Travers
The above content is owned by filmsdefrance.com and must not be copied.