'Le Ciel de Paris'
NEW YORK -- Another variation on the ''Jules and Jim'' theme, ''Le Ciel de Paris'' starts out as a refreshing, charming story about relationships, but like the relationships it deals with, turns self-consciously melodramatic.
Being shown as part of the New Directors-New Films Series, ''Le Ciel de Paris'' boasts the always welcome presence of Sandrine Bonnaire, as well as a promising debut by director and co-writer Michel Bena. Sadly, this is Bena's first and last film. He died of AIDS last year before it was shown anywhere.
It's the kind of movie you would rather watch backwards, since everything starts out so happy only to end up like some Greek tragedy. No one dies, but the change in the film's mood ultimately seems drastic and perhaps unnecessary.
In spite of the seemingly flawed direction the action takes, there is a wonderful performance by Bonnaire, delightfully European humor (''You mix jams together?!'') and some interesting camera shots that make the film worth viewing.
Suzanne (Bonnaire) and Marc (Marc Fourastier) are best friends and roommates. Their platonic relationship seems an enviable one until one day, while swimming in the public pool, Suzanne faints -- and a young man, Lucien (Paul Blain), rescues her. This fateful moment will affect all three of their lives.
Lucien falls in love with Suzanne (as would any heterosexual male), Marc falls for Lucien and the balanced Suzanne seems to be the only one not falling. A lighthearted approach could have made this a sensitive comedy. Instead, the crushing properties of love are explored, revealing no new discoveries.
It is difficult to discern whether it is Marc's homosexuality or Lucien's rejection of him that causes him the most pain. His unrequited love and sexual identity crisis transform him from a sweet, enjoyable guy into a manic, hot-tempered jerk. His once sympathetic character loses the viewer's allegiance.
Blain, who looks like a young, troubled Sal Mineo, keeps Lucien an enigmatic character. Always brooding and occasionally as irrational as Marc, he is a tough guy to warm up to. It's no wonder Suzanne doesn't view him in a romantic light.
Suzanne, on the other hand, is open, warm, complex and thoroughly desirable as a friend or lover. Bonnaire's portrayal proves her talents run deeper than the surface. She alternately displays a sensitivity and aloofness without ever seeming out of character.
There are several continuity problems within the film, plus a lot of quick exits. Everyone seems to leave suddenly and without warning. It's a strange sensation. ''Le Ciel de Paris'' is definitely erratic, but this bumpy film is still a ride worth taking.
LE CIEL de PARIS
(No distributor yet)
DirectorMichel Bena
Writers Isabelle Coudrier-Kleist, Cecil Var Haftig, Michel Bena
Photographer Jean-Marc Fabre
Editor Catherine Schwartz
Music Jorge Arriagada
Production company Sara Films
Color
In French with subtitles
Cast:
Suzanne Sandrine Bonnaire
Marc Marc Fourastier
Lucien Paul Blain
Clothilde Evelyn Bouix
Florist Tanya Lopert
Lucien's father Armand Delcampe
Running time -- 90 minutes
No MPAA rating
(c) The Hollywood Reporter...
Being shown as part of the New Directors-New Films Series, ''Le Ciel de Paris'' boasts the always welcome presence of Sandrine Bonnaire, as well as a promising debut by director and co-writer Michel Bena. Sadly, this is Bena's first and last film. He died of AIDS last year before it was shown anywhere.
It's the kind of movie you would rather watch backwards, since everything starts out so happy only to end up like some Greek tragedy. No one dies, but the change in the film's mood ultimately seems drastic and perhaps unnecessary.
In spite of the seemingly flawed direction the action takes, there is a wonderful performance by Bonnaire, delightfully European humor (''You mix jams together?!'') and some interesting camera shots that make the film worth viewing.
Suzanne (Bonnaire) and Marc (Marc Fourastier) are best friends and roommates. Their platonic relationship seems an enviable one until one day, while swimming in the public pool, Suzanne faints -- and a young man, Lucien (Paul Blain), rescues her. This fateful moment will affect all three of their lives.
Lucien falls in love with Suzanne (as would any heterosexual male), Marc falls for Lucien and the balanced Suzanne seems to be the only one not falling. A lighthearted approach could have made this a sensitive comedy. Instead, the crushing properties of love are explored, revealing no new discoveries.
It is difficult to discern whether it is Marc's homosexuality or Lucien's rejection of him that causes him the most pain. His unrequited love and sexual identity crisis transform him from a sweet, enjoyable guy into a manic, hot-tempered jerk. His once sympathetic character loses the viewer's allegiance.
Blain, who looks like a young, troubled Sal Mineo, keeps Lucien an enigmatic character. Always brooding and occasionally as irrational as Marc, he is a tough guy to warm up to. It's no wonder Suzanne doesn't view him in a romantic light.
Suzanne, on the other hand, is open, warm, complex and thoroughly desirable as a friend or lover. Bonnaire's portrayal proves her talents run deeper than the surface. She alternately displays a sensitivity and aloofness without ever seeming out of character.
There are several continuity problems within the film, plus a lot of quick exits. Everyone seems to leave suddenly and without warning. It's a strange sensation. ''Le Ciel de Paris'' is definitely erratic, but this bumpy film is still a ride worth taking.
LE CIEL de PARIS
(No distributor yet)
DirectorMichel Bena
Writers Isabelle Coudrier-Kleist, Cecil Var Haftig, Michel Bena
Photographer Jean-Marc Fabre
Editor Catherine Schwartz
Music Jorge Arriagada
Production company Sara Films
Color
In French with subtitles
Cast:
Suzanne Sandrine Bonnaire
Marc Marc Fourastier
Lucien Paul Blain
Clothilde Evelyn Bouix
Florist Tanya Lopert
Lucien's father Armand Delcampe
Running time -- 90 minutes
No MPAA rating
(c) The Hollywood Reporter...
- 3/27/1992
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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