Madame Aurora und der Duft von Frühling

We left this cliched, shallow hapenless thing way too late - will never get that hour back. Sorry to the actors that did their best but even they couldn't breathe life into such a trite and fluffy screenplay

I was expecting something more substantial, but this seems to be content to swim in the shallow end as a drama-with-rather-deflated-comedy-armbands.

If you think being unable to have a conversation in a restaurant, because the waiters are singing opera, is comedy gold, then this may be the movie for you. But I found all the ultra-light comedy to be more irritating than amusing.

The only thing I felt was genuinely funny was the automatic sliding doors that refused to open for the heroine, presumably because she had reached the age at which women become "invisible". (Or was I reading too much into it?)

I loved the movie - I could relate to so much of its content. I imagine, like myself, women will rate this film much more highly than men - it's very female-centred - which is an excellent thing in itself. Take no notice of the lower ratings - I've given it 5 out of 5 to encourage the female audience.

There are some very good performances, but I felt that the story lacked oomph.

The lead actor in this film was unknown to me, but she is superb. Every emotion possible is visible in her eyes, in her gestures and her response to other actors. All ages of life are here and it must be hard on those of the 1968 generation and seeing themselves on the terminal edge of life. All those with revolutionary hopes for the future, and to end up in ' happy ' care homes and behind them is the 1980's generation in dread of the future. For the young it is no better, waiting in the tunnel that will move them on to the same inevitable end. But despite what I saw as a deeply pessimistic film ( despite the comedy which tries to lessen the blow ) will not be the same judgement as others and I respect any thumbs down to my opinion. It also shows the deep suffering of women, and men semi-conscious of it, but failing to go deeper. There is an ending which I found as a bit of comfort for those viewers who want a popular ending, and to walk out happy, but I personally was not happy. A haunting film but for the brave of heart who are struggling with the impact of time passing, and it was well directed all the way through. I had a silly thought at the end. Has Godard seen this film ?