Parlez-moi d'amour

Here, in Belgrade, we have one excellent independent movie festival, where are the films of the real and thinking artists.I watched few films this year and the first impression is from Sophie Marceau's Parlez-moi d'amour.The atmosphere in this work is very sad, in the moments even dramatic, but the greatest message is so positive, so warm, so humanistic in this separated world.The story is, more than little, autobiographicly and there is strong emotional relation with the Sophie's husband work La fidelite.Degradation of the love is main title in both movies and we could see both sides : F. and M.And how often we could see a moovie and say after that "Beautiful, nice, also romanticly sad, but so positive!"?

For a thirty seven year old actress with a background as something of a 'wild child' Sophie Marceau has turned in an extremely mature debut movie. It's a 'mood' piece from frame one with relevant back story fed to us via an eye dropper and none the worse for that. She is also very consistent and sure-footed in her narrative. For instance our first glimpse of Arestrup is of an ageing father figure in mid-metamorphose from 'insensitive' to 'monster' yet in the back story he is seen through the same eyes - initially a bruised wife but now a young girl in love - as a caring, sensitive romantic. Okay, we're talking art house fare but that's what we don't have enough of. As an actress Sophie Marceau was often associated with the type of movie that held no interest for me, fodder for the bubble-gum crowd, but as a writer-director she is a double-threat on whom I will keep an eye. See it only if you're discerning and value fine writing, acting and directing.

I quote from those without humility or humanity in Hong Kong and the next street; "As Sophie Marceau's debut, it is technically sound with pretty good lighting and cinematography. However etc. etc......and I look forward to more good works by Sophie -- not just a beautiful face! " Could this great cricket have made breakfast for the film crew? He is noble enough to wait for Mme Marceau to do better.

Thanks Sophie. There is more truth in your film than we deserve. Une alchimiste, vous avez bien reussie a transmuer la vie en art.

(Crickets are discussed in "The Horse's Mouth" by Joyce Cary, filmed with Alec Guinness in the role of the artist.)

As Sophie Marceau's debut, it is technically sound with pretty good lighting and cinematography. However she seems to be struggling with the story-telling. It's supposed to be a very touching movie about love worn away through the years by all kinds of torment in life, but... it just isn't quite reached the point that touches peoples' hearts yet. Anyway it's not bad as a debut and I look forward to more good works by Sophie -- not just a beautiful face!