La Vieille fille (1972)
Directed by Jean-Pierre Blanc

Film Review

This gentle comedy features Annie Girardot and Philippe Noiret, two greatly loved actors in France.  It was a surprising box office success for director Jean-Pierre Blanc, his first full-length film.  With its refreshingly unusual style, off-the-wall (almost surreal) comic moments and honest, closely observed portrayal of male-female interactions, La Vieille fille is a rare film that feels both anarchic and comforting.  The on-screen rapport between Girardot and Noiret has a quality of magic about it; so much is conveyed in so small a space that you end up feeling you know both of the characters they portray intimately.  A charming film, and subtly poignant.

Film Synopsis

After reaching the grand old age of 35, Muriel Bouchon decides to end her days of dull spinsterhood and now devote herself to finding a male companion to share her remaining years.  To that end, she takes up residence in a hotel in the sunny seaport of Cassis near Marseille and hopes that sooner or later a suitable soul mate will present himself to her.  She doesn't have to wait long.  Gabriel Marcassus, a dapper man in his forties, soon catches her eye when he checks into the hotel, after his planned expedition to Spain falls flat.

Muriel and Gabriel have at least one thing in common: they are both afflicted with chronic shyness.  In spite of this, in the course of several impromptu encounters, they engage each other's interest and soon develop a fond liking for one another.  Their fellow boarders at the hotel provide plenty of distractions, but it is Muriel that Gabriel finds himself most drawn to, although he struggles to put into words his feelings for her.  All too soon, the holiday draws to a close and Gabriel is accompanying Muriel back to the train station, without having yet broached the matter of whether they should meet again.  It looks as if both are about to let their last chance of happiness slip through their fingers...