The expectations created by the dream cast, and the plot, boasted by this new film are very high. However, NATHALIE doesn't meet any of them. That is, unless you wanted to check out Fanny Ardant and Emmanuelle Béart. Yes, they are still gorgeous, and marvelous actresses, even when working with mediocre material.
The film is now being premiered (even before released in its native France) in the 2nd Annual "French Film Festival" (a translation of the event's Portuguese name). As such, next to AMEN, it is the most anticipated premiere of this event presented by the Brazilian Alliance Française in eight cities nationwide, including Sao Paulo, Rio and Recife, during September and October.
Miss Béart is Nathalie, a beautiful prostitute hired by a suspicious wife (Ardant) who either wants to find out whether her husband (Depardieu) is cheating, or is a complicated, psychotic voyeur crazy to hear erotic stories about her husband's sex antics, whether true or not.
As I earlier said, the cast seemed extremely promising. And the plot seemed rather exotic, though not groundbreaking. The Parisian locales are fabulous, as are the fashions exhibited by the glamorous cast. But ultimately, the story (and the film) is boring. At the end, we leave the cinema knowing very little about the characters, are not greatly surprised by anything, and gain no new insight into our own lives.
I can understand why the film hasn't been released in France yet, and is being timidly shown in Toronto, and at events like this one. I can't imagine how even the best editor can do anything to fix it. A terrible disappointment. But Béart and Ardant confirm their status as two of the absolutely most glamorous stars of European and World Cinema.
The film is now being premiered (even before released in its native France) in the 2nd Annual "French Film Festival" (a translation of the event's Portuguese name). As such, next to AMEN, it is the most anticipated premiere of this event presented by the Brazilian Alliance Française in eight cities nationwide, including Sao Paulo, Rio and Recife, during September and October.
Miss Béart is Nathalie, a beautiful prostitute hired by a suspicious wife (Ardant) who either wants to find out whether her husband (Depardieu) is cheating, or is a complicated, psychotic voyeur crazy to hear erotic stories about her husband's sex antics, whether true or not.
As I earlier said, the cast seemed extremely promising. And the plot seemed rather exotic, though not groundbreaking. The Parisian locales are fabulous, as are the fashions exhibited by the glamorous cast. But ultimately, the story (and the film) is boring. At the end, we leave the cinema knowing very little about the characters, are not greatly surprised by anything, and gain no new insight into our own lives.
I can understand why the film hasn't been released in France yet, and is being timidly shown in Toronto, and at events like this one. I can't imagine how even the best editor can do anything to fix it. A terrible disappointment. But Béart and Ardant confirm their status as two of the absolutely most glamorous stars of European and World Cinema.