This classic 1980s French film opens a week after handyman Zorg meets the beautiful nineteen year old Betty. He works restoring beach houses at somewhat rundown resort on the Mediterranean coast. In his spare time he has written a novel; Betty is convinced that it is a work of genius; he isn't so sure. It soon becomes apparent that Betty is more than a little unstable. After one particular incident they move to Paris and Betty types up Zorg's manuscript and starts sending it to publishers... it is clear that they are less impressed with it than she is but Zorg hides the rejection letters to avoid upsetting her. As the film progresses she becomes more and more unstable but Zorg still loves her.
It is hard to categorise this film; it is sexy, it is funny but it is also tragic. The love between Zorg and Betty seems very real making it all the more tragic as it becomes obvious that rather than just being a bit wild she is gradually losing her sanity. This leads to violent outbursts against those who upset her. Thankfully the depressing aspects of the story are balanced out by some very funny moments. The opening scene makes it clear this film will not be for those put off by nudity as we see the protagonists having sex; both characters are seen naked regularly throughout the film. For the most part this is fairly matter of fact. The characters are fun to watch; not just Zorg and Betty but also the people they befriend during the film. The cast does a fine job, particularly Jean-Hughes Anglade and Beatrice Dalle as our protagonists Zorg and Betty. The version of the film I watched was the three hour long director's cut; I didn't feel I was watching such a long film though as I was enjoying the story so much.
These comments are based on watching the film in French with English subtitles.
It is hard to categorise this film; it is sexy, it is funny but it is also tragic. The love between Zorg and Betty seems very real making it all the more tragic as it becomes obvious that rather than just being a bit wild she is gradually losing her sanity. This leads to violent outbursts against those who upset her. Thankfully the depressing aspects of the story are balanced out by some very funny moments. The opening scene makes it clear this film will not be for those put off by nudity as we see the protagonists having sex; both characters are seen naked regularly throughout the film. For the most part this is fairly matter of fact. The characters are fun to watch; not just Zorg and Betty but also the people they befriend during the film. The cast does a fine job, particularly Jean-Hughes Anglade and Beatrice Dalle as our protagonists Zorg and Betty. The version of the film I watched was the three hour long director's cut; I didn't feel I was watching such a long film though as I was enjoying the story so much.
These comments are based on watching the film in French with English subtitles.