The Purple Taxi

Great story, great location, beautiful photography. Too bad we don't see this one on any of the movie channels. I think this is Fred Astaire's last movie - and he was terrific. And Charlotte Rampling has some of her best moments on film.

I have seen this remarkable film only once, at a film festival in Edmonton Canada in 1978 or 1979 -- and most people haven't heard of it. In fact, until IMDB came along, I wasn't even able to persuade skeptical friends that this movie had ever been made. It's a mystery to me why this masterpiece has never been resurrected. The international cast features each and every player at their best. Set in the wild coast of western Ireland, the stories within the film are beautifully constructed and melded. It is an absolute treat to see Peter Ustinov, Charlotte Rampling, Fred Astaire, Philippe Noiret giving first-class performances all in the same film. Rampling is particularly good, and the scenes with Ustinov and Noiret crackle with finely-played lines. I've never heard of this on video or DVD and I don't even know if a decent print exists. If you ever come across it, you must see it -- this is a richly rewarding work.

In Ireland on the Beara peninsula a doctor called Scully (Fred Astaire) drives around in a symbolic purple taxi trying to help various troubled individuals with their wounds, both physical and emotional. Advertised with the line 'Each one is driven by love' writer/director Yves Boisset's 1977 feature film version of Michel Deon's novel is a mysterious drama about the loves, sadness and relationships of it's emotionally troubled characters (who include Peter Ustinov, Philippe Noiret, Charlotte Rampling, Agostina Belli, and Edward Albert), and is rather untypical seeming of the other films being directed at the time by Boisset. Evocative, poetic seeming (a bit like a dream in places), despite it's at times soap opera dramas, this French/Irish co-production is perhaps best remembered for being one of Astaire's final films. This review is based on the French language version - Astaire speaking in French!?

This is a truly remarkable movie. A forgotten gem of great quality. Ustinov, Rampling, Noiret and the exquisite performance of the old Fred Astaire make this movie an unforgettable experience. Light-hearted drama, fine psychological detailing. The movie sets in the Ireland of 30 years ago. Still unspoilt by the EEC subsidies. Thatched cottages, cart roads and of course a major role for not only the Purple Taxi (Le Taxi Mauve), but also for a splendid early yellow Range Rover. This movie deserves to be restored for a new audience. It is just as fresh as it was 30 years ago. Very subtle acting, fine character playing, in short: not for Americans!

Yves Boisset has always been a politically committed director,and his stories are always linear and accessible:hence their efficiency,even if people complain about their manicheism or naiveté. One cannot deny their impact on the audience when it comes to depicting the Algerian war (in RAS) or racism (in Dupont Lajoie,probably his best effort).

Immediate background: in 1977, Boisset's movie about the death of a judge "le juge Fayard dit le shériff" brought about death threats letters and during the filming of "un taxi mauve" ,he was protected by the IRA......

although "un taxi mauve" ditches social concern and politics ..... The pictures are sumptuous, the music by Philippe Sarde performed by the Chieftains (who else?) excellent,the cast impressive :never before Boisset had so many big stars at his disposal ; Rampling has perhaps never been so beautiful as here But these characters are hollow , the princess and her brother , wealthy heirs have nothing to do but contemplate their navel : Boisset returning to the New Wavelet ?Too much voice over does not help . Noiret,Ustinov and Astaire are wasted ,five characters in search of a director ; the brawl in the pub seems taken by force from John Ford"s "the quiet man"

This movie and "la clé sur la porte " ,the following effort ,signal a period of barren inspiration for Boisset; "la femme-flic" and mainly "allons z'enfants "redeemed him ,back in the field where he excels.