This film is making a point about how beauty can be a handicap. Look at Florence, the gorgeous young wife of Bernard, a successful business man in Marseille. Any man could kill for the privilege of being next to such a ravishing creature, yet, Bernard lusts after his plain looking temp secretary, Colette.
Bertrand Blier, a controversial director himself, wants to explore on the idea that sometimes this beauty is too much for a ordinary looking man, with down to earth tastes. Even the exquisite music by Schubert, his own son plays at home, is a cause for irritation for Bernard. When Colette decides to go after him, he feels right at home with this asserting woman who brings a lust in him that is obviously lacking from his own bed at home with Florence. Florence, on the other hand, is a woman that must intimidate Bernard because her beauty is unreachable.
The film is done in a way that most of the dialog consists in the inner thoughts of the particular character that is thinking at the time. These thoughts can be disorienting since Mr. Blier employs a non linear style to present his tale. Thus, the film loses a bit of its immediacy for the viewer that might not be paying attention to what is being said at any particular moment.
By juxtaposing an actor that is the antithesis of handsomeness, Gerard Depardieu, against the exquisitely gorgeous Carole Bouquet, Mr. Blier achieves a coup, because we are trained to believe that only beauty can bring happiness. The plain Colette, being played by Josiane Balasko, is a strong presence in the movie. She achieves all what she set out to do in making Bernard a slave because she understands him intellectually as well as sexually.
The film evidently came and went without much fanfare. Paying a visit to this beautifully photographed film by the great Philippe Rosselot, will delight fans of Bertrand Blier. It also helps that the director has included some sublime music by Franz Schubert in the background.
Bertrand Blier, a controversial director himself, wants to explore on the idea that sometimes this beauty is too much for a ordinary looking man, with down to earth tastes. Even the exquisite music by Schubert, his own son plays at home, is a cause for irritation for Bernard. When Colette decides to go after him, he feels right at home with this asserting woman who brings a lust in him that is obviously lacking from his own bed at home with Florence. Florence, on the other hand, is a woman that must intimidate Bernard because her beauty is unreachable.
The film is done in a way that most of the dialog consists in the inner thoughts of the particular character that is thinking at the time. These thoughts can be disorienting since Mr. Blier employs a non linear style to present his tale. Thus, the film loses a bit of its immediacy for the viewer that might not be paying attention to what is being said at any particular moment.
By juxtaposing an actor that is the antithesis of handsomeness, Gerard Depardieu, against the exquisitely gorgeous Carole Bouquet, Mr. Blier achieves a coup, because we are trained to believe that only beauty can bring happiness. The plain Colette, being played by Josiane Balasko, is a strong presence in the movie. She achieves all what she set out to do in making Bernard a slave because she understands him intellectually as well as sexually.
The film evidently came and went without much fanfare. Paying a visit to this beautifully photographed film by the great Philippe Rosselot, will delight fans of Bertrand Blier. It also helps that the director has included some sublime music by Franz Schubert in the background.