Since 1996 |
  
Your Gateway to Music and More from a Christian Perspective Slow down as you approach the gate, and have your change ready....
|
|
Since 1996 |
Your Gateway to Music and More from a Christian Perspective Slow down as you approach the gate, and have your change ready....
|
| Home
Subscribe About Us Features News Album
Reviews
|
Roman De Gare Stars: Dominique Pinon, Audrey Dana, Fanny Ardant, Michele Bernier, Cyrille Eldin and Gilles Lemaire Director: Claude Lelouch Scriptwriters: Claude Lelouch and Pierre Uytterhoeven French language with English subtitles Composer: Alex Jaffray Cinematography: Gerard De Battista Samuel Goldwyn Company Rating: R for language and sexual references Running Length: 103 minutes www.samuelgoldwynfilms.com The French term “roman de gare” references a literary type, such as books sold in transportation stations---train and airport. It doesn’t mean the reading material is bad, but readily accessible and easy to read for the traveler. Director Claude Lelouch (A Man and a Woman) is playing coy with his audience when he titles this film Roman De Gare. At first, you think you know what is going on, but as you see, there are several stories going on at the same time, plus flashbacks. Each character has their story. First, we meet author Judith Ralitzer (Fannie Ardant) who is being questioned by police, then Huguette (Audrey Dana) who is left at a truck stop by her boyfriend, and finally Pierre (Dominique Pinon), who has stopped at that same truck stop for coffee. We then hear on a radio broadcast that a serial killer has escaped and police are on the lookout for him. Immediately, we think Pierre is the killer, so when he offers Huguette a ride, we expect the worst. Well, not to be, as the serial killer pops in and out of the story enough so that Pierre is in the clear, while others may be the killer. We find out why the boyfriend left Huguette there, why Pierre has such a classy car and is always taking notes and why Judith is being questioned by the police. You may be tempted to take notes to keep track of the stories, but stay with it, because there is a thread through it all that you will see at the end. I did not feel manipulated and liked the idea that director/writer Lelouch could take me by the hand and lead me into a roman de gare. There are humorous scenes when Pinon meets Huguette’s family, particularly the outspoken mother (Michele Bernier) and when the errant boyfriend, Paul (Cyrille Eldin) suddenly appears. To use the average looking Dominique Pinon as a leading man works well. He appears harmless and this is why Huguette is attracted to him. Huguette, we find out, is a hairdresser, so her language and world are concerned with hair and manicures. Quite a contrast to Judith, who lives a fashionable life complete with expensive cars and a yacht. The actors play their parts well. Pinon as Pierre is plain looking and hesitant to approach a woman. Huguette hasn’t had much luck with men and is hesitant when approached. Judith, on the other hand expects everyone to be at her beck and call. There are truths here that start to trickle out like little leaks in a dam. You start to see this happen and can’t wait to see that dam burst no matter who is in the way. Part of the technique in tying the story together is the use of transportation. The camera rides on the hood of Pierre’s car, so not only do we hear voices behind us, but the road ahead is right in our face to symbolize time marching along. Contrast that with Judith’s yacht and the slow, dream-like quality of riding on water with a handsome captain (Gilles Lemaire) and we slow down for something important. Cinematography is very good and so is the soundtrack. This is one roman de gare that exceeds expectations. Copyright 2008 Marie Asner Submitted 6/20/08
|
Copyright © 1996 - 2008 The Phantom Tollbooth
