La ingenua libertina

Based on a Colette novel,directed by the writer's regular director,Jacqueline Audry ,whose career began before Agnès Varda's.

The best moments are to be found at the beginning:Minne has just married to a less-than-handsome cousin ,and her mom gives her a piece of advice for her wedding night.Actually,mother frets over the slightest thing -this night must bring back bad memories to her- for mommy's little Darling has her feet firmly planted in the ground;the title "L'Ingénue Libertine" tells it all.In the same way,daddy tells his listless blue-eyed boy what to do on a night like this...

A good flashback is given over to Minne's so called racy past she tells her hubby : the pictures categorically refute her words .The soundtrack is based on an old French song ,'J'ai Un Beau Château" ,a transparent metaphor of virginity.

Three years after the wedding,the father-in-law has this priceless line: "you've been married for three years and still you're happy;this is worrying".

The movie might possess considerable appeal for a female audience;men may sometimes yawn their head off ,but Danièle Delorme's charm can win them over.