Une parisienne

Two years before their joint appearance in COME DANCE WITH ME (1959), Brigitte BARDOT and Henri VIDAL (1919-1959) had already appeared on screen as lovers and married couples.

In UNE PARISIENNE, BARDOT plays the daughter of the French Prime Minister (Andre LUGUET), who falls madly in love with her father's chief diplomat. Although he's a confirmed bachelor, he doesn't let anyone get away with it, Brigitte wouldn't be Brigitte if she couldn't win him over. A lingering jealousy remains, however, as there are simply too many admirers from the past queuing up for the handsome Michel. It's a good thing that the state visit of Queen Greta (Nadia GRAY) is just around the corner. Her frivolous Prince Consort Charles (Charles Boyer) is extremely smitten with the charming Brigitte and flies with her to Nice for a swim...

A slightly frivolous comedy starring Brigitte Bardot, who became an important export for the French economy in those days. In the US and Canada alone, the film grossed $3 million at the box office. It certainly didn't hurt that Bardot was allowed to admire her bare bottom from afar. In the 1950s, only French films featuring the fearless Brigitte had something like that to offer, and she also got to cruise through Paris in a bright red sports car. Add to that Charles Boyer, also hardened in Hollywood by four Oscar nominations (in 1945, for example, he was nominated for his role in Gaslight with Ingrid Bergman), in a charming guest role as the Prince Consort! What more could you want?

Most of the Brigitte Bardot movies I've seen have failed to take full advantage of her captivating screen presence. Unfortunately, she was given few really good roles in movies of undeniable quality, which was a real oversight. She deserved them and was able to demonstrate her full cinematic power when they came her way. As Genevieve in "Love on a Pillow" we had a clear exception to the trend of light, fluffy vehicles, for it was an interesting, artistic film by any reasonable measure, and in it, a 28-year-old BB was at her most alluring. "Une Parisienne" is another, featuring an extremely captivating Brigitte in an interesting, well-crafted comedy that explores how an ambitious lady's man can be convinced to remain faithful to an incredibly beautiful young wife. There are several good performances here. Her playboy husband, Michel, is one, "the prince," played by Charles Boyer, is another, with entertaining efforts by a good supporting cast. As for Brigitte Bardot, the way she looks in this movie is the way I remember her as a kid in the fifties. She was 23 in 1957 and way ahead of her time, more beautiful than any other actress of the period, including Marilyn Monroe. Her curvy, coquettish sexuality, amply displayed in several bosom-baring, skintight dresses, simply jumps off the screen. She was more hip and cute than the women of America are today, nearly fifty years later. Obsessed with their careers and still desperately clinging to feminist politics, they come off like a bunch of clueless lesbians. In stark contrast, the sex kitten was sexually liberated, intelligent, and clearly independent long before it was fashionable, yet while fully understanding the power of her exceptional femininity, she used it for a higher purpose than mere self-interest -- she believed in love. A still photo simply could not do her justice. You had to watch her slender yet voluptuous form (with its 20-inch waist) lightly cross a room. You had to see that wild blonde mane, gaze into her big, brown, seductive eyes, and listen as her full, pouting lips spoke French. In a closeup at the end of this movie she winks and flirts with the camera, her beautiful orbs twinkling. What a babe! For fans of Brigitte Bardot, "Une Parisienne" is not to be missed.

Of all the 48 films of Brigitte Bardot, "Une Parisienne" is widely regarded as (one of) her best. What we see is special: for once the plot has a value of its own, does much more than only providing a cheap vehicle for BB's sex-charged appearance.

This film is your true & well worked-out light comedy, with a good and coherent story. Set in France's government circles in the late 1950's, it entertains from beginning to end. Providing many amusing twists & turns and some slapstick -- all acted out by at least three starring leads, including Bardot.

"Une Parisienne" (= French for "female inhabitant of Paris") focuses on telling a story, not on showing Brigitte Bardot. Brigitte serves the plot very well by using her talent for acting in light comedies.

When you settle on your couch on a Friday-night, tired and weary from a week's slaving away, just turn on "Une Parisienne". This film will make you feel better.

A generic title ,which could fit countless other movies whose heroine is a Parisian;a screenplay the standards of which are simply what the French call:"Théatre De Boulevard ":run of the mill stories of wives,husbands ,lovers ,cuckolds ,with a dash of "Roman Holiday" in reverse for good measure.

Brigitte Bardot acted naturally ,with a drawling voice and a roguish look ,and this "Petit Je Ne Sais Quoi " which made her THE greatest French sex symbol of all time;she did know she was hot and very attractive but she did never take it too seriously;she already showed her love for animals in the scene when she pampered the dog;Charles Boyer was aging at the time and was too old for a prince charming.

As for her hubby in the film,Henri Vidal,this is one of the saddest stories in the history of the French cinema:addicted to heroin since he was 17,although he tried detox ,he had only two years left to live ;he was to meet again BB in "Voulez-Vous Danser Avec Moi"with the same director (Boisrond), his final role (1959).

In her memoirs Brigitte Bardot mentions she is proud of this movie. I can imagine so, because here she fully utilizes her talent for light comedy. 'Une Parisienne' certainly ranks among Bardot's best.

What makes this movie, is its slapstick - from beginning to end. 'Parisienne's' story only serves to get these effects right. Your special attention for its ending, when Brigitte irresistably invites her viewers to keep her secret a secret.

When you settle on your sofa in the weekend, weary and tired after a week's hard work, 'Une Parisienne' is the right movie to make you feel better.