Album Reviews
Movies
Concert Reviews

Top 10
Resources
Contact Us

For film fans who remember Charlotte Rampling from the 1974 film, The Night Porter, and wonder what she's been up to lately, don't fret.  First came a dazzling performance in Signs & Wonders, and now  Under the Sand, directed by Francois Ozon (See the Sea.)  Rampling is in her mid-fifties now and aging beautifully, in fact, taking care of oneself is part of this film.  There is still the Gene Tierney face, direct gaze and hand movements that tell stories by themselves.

In Under the Sand, Rampling plays Marie, who has been married to Jean (Bruno Cremer) for many years. She hovers over him like a hummingbird in mid-flight.  Jean seems complacent with the attention.  They decide to go to a country house for the weekend, and then a day at the beach.  Marie naps while Jean goes for a swim.  Trouble is, he doesn't return. After getting help and instigating a search, there is no trace of Jean.  Marie goes back to their flat and slides into a sort of existence that is part denial, part hope. Weeks pass. While waiting for "Jean to come back from his trip," Marie continues her workouts at the gym and teaching. Friends invite her to dinner and try to get her interested in another man (Jacques Nolot), but Marie goes just so far and then reverts to imagining Jean in their apartment or his office. Marie's behavior is noticed by all, even her students, but what to do? Let her coast through a peaceful unreality or try to nudge her into a painful realization.

Jacques is a patient man and soon he and Marie are lovers.  Jacques is falling in love with her, but Marie says she is "having an affair" and "I've never cheated on my husband before."   Eventually, the comparisons between Jean and Jacque become too much for Marie who begins to toss sarcastic barbs at people.

Director Francois Ozon knows how to use the ocean in his films.  The waves that may seem peaceful to some can be menacing to others.  This is the perception Marie must face. Those beautiful dancing pieces of water could take a life.   As the film progresses, we see Marie split into two people.  One wants to accept the fact that Jean is gone and continue with life, even to moving to a new apartment.  The other relishes sitting at his desk and talking to him. For anyone who ever has had a person suddenly walk out of their life forever, "Under the Sand" can be a jolt.  Did you react the same as Marie?  How long did it take you to continue your life path?

It's interesting to watch Rampling's facial expressions go from youthful enthusiasm to middle age tragedy.  Her hands are part of the acting process, too, and can lie peacefully in her lap to caress Jean's sweater or grasp handfuls of wet sand as though to say, "Where is he?  Tell me."

The audience can see that life would not be over for Marie, because of Jacques' easy acceptance of her, but Marie was focused on one man and this situation isn't over.  We are left with an uneasy feeling as to her fate. Money, for example, isn't attainable because Jean hasn't been declared dead.  What is Marie going to do?  What would you do?

Copyright Marie Asner 2001
10/24/2001