This earlier film from Breillat is a typically truthful look at a foul-mouthed teenager's quest to lose her virginity; this time, the film's restraint in what it shows is understandable because it is dealing with an under-aged character but the Lolita-esquire aspects of the story (particularly apparent in the girl's love-hate relationship with her older brother's mature friend) are still effectively rendered. The film does not shrink from honing in on what the main character is truly after and ends just a few moments after she succeeds in reaching her goal. It also takes time to show that her parents are helplessly ineffective in containing their reckless daughter and distracting her from her single-minded quest to blossom into a woman before her time.
13 Reviews
the distractions of puberty
mjneu598 January 2011
In France a young girl's coming-of-age usually means going topless for the first time on the beach at San Tropez, but the young heroine of Catherine Breillat's semi-autobiographical psycho-drama is no typical teen nymphet, showing more physical and emotional maturity at the tender age of 14 (going on 24) and an instinct for sexual provocation far beyond her actual experience. Lili may look like a sullen, restless, temperamental flirt, but only to men with one thing on their mind, in particular the jaded, aging playboy who pursues her to the bitter end of infatuation. Breillat directs her own script with a cool, clinical detachment, refusing to camouflage the cold mechanics of sex with any bogus soft-focus poetry. But because the film is so confident and impersonal it may be more of a tease than Lili herself, who in the end is only using all the complicated foreplay and frustration to help find a man who might release her from the terrible burden of virginity. C'est la vie.
Worth a look, although Breillat seems limited
bastard_wisher24 December 2005
First off, I've got to say that the DVD of this had quite possibly the worst transfer quality I've ever seen, so undoubtedly this had some kind of effect on my viewing of the film in the long run. But, that said, I thought it was pretty good. I must say though, that Catherine Breillat seems to have a very narrow vision. This really felt in many ways like a warm-up for "Fat Girl!", although I didn't think this was quite as good as that was. It somewhat lacked the extreme dynamics and tension that made that film more riveting. This was actually a bit boring at times, especially toward the beginning. Also, the cinematography was completely unremarkable (again, unlike "Fat Girl!", which used long, uncomfortable single-takes to great effect). And there was really too much pointless talking at times. Still, I wouldn't say that it is a bad film at all, really. It definitely gets better as it goes on. It even began to remind me a little of "Palindromes" at times, especially toward the end. I'd say that Breillat is definitely a good filmmaker, but probably not a great one.
A perceptive, candid and unsentimental look at puberty.
CraigA2328 December 1999
This film was made in France in the late 1980s, but it is unimaginable that it could be made in Hollywood then or now. The US studio mind set sees adolescence in 'American Pie' terms and the current wave of legislative hysteria over child porn precludes any thoughtful treatment of how adolescents deal with their emerging sexuality.
Working outside these constraints in France Catherine Breillat has been able to craft a film which is occasionally startlingly frank but never exploitive. She looks unblinkingly at the unruliness of adolescent sexual behavior and does not shy away from depicting the protagonist of the title as part seducer as well as part victim.
Delphine Zentout is sensationally good in depicting a young girl with rampaging hormones in a hurry to become a woman. She plays her as unashamedly surly, self absorbed and difficult, without a trace of cuteness.
This is a film in which every note rings true.
Working outside these constraints in France Catherine Breillat has been able to craft a film which is occasionally startlingly frank but never exploitive. She looks unblinkingly at the unruliness of adolescent sexual behavior and does not shy away from depicting the protagonist of the title as part seducer as well as part victim.
Delphine Zentout is sensationally good in depicting a young girl with rampaging hormones in a hurry to become a woman. She plays her as unashamedly surly, self absorbed and difficult, without a trace of cuteness.
This is a film in which every note rings true.
Crossing boundaries
videorama-759-8593915 November 2014
I should of known this was a Catherine Brelliat film, some of this one, feeling much like that messy Fat girl. This isn't a badly made film and does have some very hot moments. A young 14 year old girl, holidaying, wants to experience sexual pleasure with older guys and lose her virginity. She meets a playboy, twice her age, plus. Instant attraction. Over the span of the night, while engaging in boozing, dancing, and sexual encounters with this the stranger, comes that special moment, where she is to lose it, but has second thoughts. This very much frustrates the mid thirties guy, who really should be in prison. Comes another night where the two become more intimate. The movie really rides on this scenario, which it tells the views of both these characters and takes it's time, in what is a very realistic scenario, which is what I really liked about this movie. Although it's not Brielliat's best, this earlier effort from this controversial director, is definitely worth it's view, where I will re iterate, the film does feel a lot like Fat Girl, even the familiar settings. True to life, these sexual encounters happen, where choices to continue, or cross the line have resulted in arrests, due to girls below the age of consent. A quite beautifully flowing film. The young actress gives a really mature and professional performance.
Fascinating coming of age film
CharltonBoy13 November 2000
36 Fillette or "Virgin" which is the English title, is a film set in France which portrays a couple of days in the life of a 14 year old girl who trying to explore her sexuality for the first time. She meets a play boy who at first she teases and does not want to make love to which enfuriates him but as the film goes on the guy starts to have second thoughts and the tables are turned. While this film is engrossing , and maybe only for voyeuristic reasons ,it does have the problem that most French films do, which is far to much diologue. The acting is a plus point. 6 out of 10.
Stop dribbling on me and go ahead and do it.
lastliberal17 May 2009
Warning: Spoilers
Seeing Hounddog today and the 12-year-old Dakota Fanning, I wanted to compare it with a French film, specifically a Catherine Breillat film with a 14-year-old Delphine Zentout in her film debut.
She is unhappy with her parents and bored and determined to lose her virginity.
She first runs into a middle aged man (Etienne Chicot) who is living his second childhood with his convertible. She dumps him quickly and seeks adventure elsewhere.
She next hits on a celebrity (Jean-Pierre Léaud). I found it hard to believe that he would have a deep conversation with a 14-year-old, but he did. Of course, she was not old enough to appreciate the advice.
She goes back to the middle aged playboy and strings him along all night. He comes off as a letch, but ends up just looking pathetic.
They get together again the next day, and this time he has her naked, but it goes nowhere and he gives up. But, she is determined to rid herself of her virginity, so she finds a boy her age and does it just to not be a virgin any longer. It was like washing her hair.
She is unhappy with her parents and bored and determined to lose her virginity.
She first runs into a middle aged man (Etienne Chicot) who is living his second childhood with his convertible. She dumps him quickly and seeks adventure elsewhere.
She next hits on a celebrity (Jean-Pierre Léaud). I found it hard to believe that he would have a deep conversation with a 14-year-old, but he did. Of course, she was not old enough to appreciate the advice.
She goes back to the middle aged playboy and strings him along all night. He comes off as a letch, but ends up just looking pathetic.
They get together again the next day, and this time he has her naked, but it goes nowhere and he gives up. But, she is determined to rid herself of her virginity, so she finds a boy her age and does it just to not be a virgin any longer. It was like washing her hair.
A Story Of Coming Of Age Without A Point
gitrich14 May 1999
36 Fillette is an aimless journey of coming of age by a 14 year old girl played extremely well by Delphine Zentout. She talks her brother into taking her to a disco where she is eventually taken advantage of by a much older man played by Etienne Chicot. She is an angry girl whose home life leaves a lot to be desired. This film really has no point other than to continually think of ways for an older man to have sex with a 14 year old girl. Pass on this meaningless story. Too bad as the acting was very good.
Transcends the American brat style
DennisLittrell22 March 1999
(Note: Over 500 of my movie reviews are now available in my book "Cut to the Chaise Lounge or I Can't Believe I Swallowed the Remote!" Get it at Amazon.)
This is a love story off the beaten track clearly in the tradition of Louis Malle and Francois Truffaut, told without prudishness or gratuitous violence.
The title refers to a children's dress size that the 14-year-old lead, Lili, played with snap by Delphine Zentout, is bursting out of. Billed as a "French Lolita," Zentout is not all that fetching at first glance. She's a chubbette with light skin and thick black hair and not exactly pretty. But she has intriguing eyes and a saucy way about her.
Lili is "discovering" her sexuality, but won't let herself be impregnated. The playboy, played with grace and economy by Jean-Pierre Leaud, falls in love with her in spite of himself and "tolerates" her reluctance while being partially satisfied in other ways, one of which we used to call a "cold f..." They are a believable match because sexually they are equal: she precocious, he experienced.
Catherine Beillat directs without sentimentality while guiding Zentout to an interpretation that transcends the American brat style and leads us to a thoughtful view of feminine sexuality.
This is a love story off the beaten track clearly in the tradition of Louis Malle and Francois Truffaut, told without prudishness or gratuitous violence.
The title refers to a children's dress size that the 14-year-old lead, Lili, played with snap by Delphine Zentout, is bursting out of. Billed as a "French Lolita," Zentout is not all that fetching at first glance. She's a chubbette with light skin and thick black hair and not exactly pretty. But she has intriguing eyes and a saucy way about her.
Lili is "discovering" her sexuality, but won't let herself be impregnated. The playboy, played with grace and economy by Jean-Pierre Leaud, falls in love with her in spite of himself and "tolerates" her reluctance while being partially satisfied in other ways, one of which we used to call a "cold f..." They are a believable match because sexually they are equal: she precocious, he experienced.
Catherine Beillat directs without sentimentality while guiding Zentout to an interpretation that transcends the American brat style and leads us to a thoughtful view of feminine sexuality.
Size 36 (France)
Sherazade7 October 2006
Warning: Spoilers
The title of the film refers to size 36 (girls), the biggest size for dresses sold to young girls in France before they have to start wearing young women clothing. And that's precisely the size of dress our heroine is wearing when we meet her. She is supposed to be in the care of her older brother, but his own sick aspirations get in the way of him being a good role model to her. So one night, our heroine goes to hangout at a hotel's bar where she meets a much older guy who happens to be some sort of a local celebrity. They quickly become friends and it becomes clear sooner than later that he is interested in more that just her brightness and peculiar nature but also what she looks like underneath her clothes. And our dear heroine, an unabashed little girl eager to become the sort of women her brother knocks up and around, attempts to meet him half way but then wants to reconsider at the point of no-return. Apart from the fact that the film is hopelessly dated, it's really really out there and shamelessly unapologetic but hey! it's French what else can you expect?
36 fillette
RaulFerreiraZem7 December 2022
Warning: Spoilers
36 fillette is kind of like A ma soeur (also by Catherine Breillat) but before a ma soeur. I would think that the events that inspired both of them were the same. This one however, in my opinion, has a bit more nuance to the discourse and approaches the theme of sexual initiation from some different angles, some of which i find to be very new and refreshing mainly because they are presented in a way exempt from moralism and filled with ambiguities . The downside in my opinion is that the acting and the directing in this one is not as good as in A ma soeur but that is to be expected since Breillat was not as experienced as a movie director. Also Jean Pierre Lèaud is in this (in a minor role unfortunately) which was a welcome surprise.
Evenings of Cabiria
tedg11 July 2003
Warning: Spoilers
Spoilers herein.
In the late seventies, actress/writer Breillat made a film ("Young Girl") about the nearly suicidal angst of female sexual discovery/fantasy. It is worth watching for the raw honesty, but it misses being a whole film. Five years later, she wrote a Fellini film, not a good one. It was during the period where he felt his only true film was "Nights of Cabiria." And five years after that, she produced this synthesis of "Cabiria" and "Young Girl."
It is still not a complete film. Breillat's of the distinctly French school who thinks all the creative work of a film is in thinking it up, in finding that wrinkle in human emotions in which to ramble.
I recommend that you stick to the originals rather than spending time with this unsuccessful experiment.
Ted's Evaluation -- 2 of 4: Has some interesting elements.
In the late seventies, actress/writer Breillat made a film ("Young Girl") about the nearly suicidal angst of female sexual discovery/fantasy. It is worth watching for the raw honesty, but it misses being a whole film. Five years later, she wrote a Fellini film, not a good one. It was during the period where he felt his only true film was "Nights of Cabiria." And five years after that, she produced this synthesis of "Cabiria" and "Young Girl."
It is still not a complete film. Breillat's of the distinctly French school who thinks all the creative work of a film is in thinking it up, in finding that wrinkle in human emotions in which to ramble.
I recommend that you stick to the originals rather than spending time with this unsuccessful experiment.
Ted's Evaluation -- 2 of 4: Has some interesting elements.
Fractured and incoherent
bruce-1296 July 2006
Warning: Spoilers
I rented "36 Fillette" on DVD. There was little in the way of explanation or translation. The opening screen and title were not even translated, and the picture was fuzzy like a home movie or something, perhaps purposefully since this was a small family on vacation at the beach.
The mother father, and their 14 year old daughter, and 16 year old son rent a trailer at the beach for the summer.
The son and daughter are cooped up like chickens and squabbling constantly, so immediately both get on your nerves, but mostly the daughter ... something is just bothering her.
Well, I guess it turns out to be raging hormones. The title someone said in the American version was "Virgin" and the main goal of this movie seems to be to get this awful girl laid.
"Lily" does not read, and makes fun of those who do, though she professed to want to be a writer when she grows up. She disobeys her parents and bothers her brother constantly, the reason is that she has raging hormones I suppose.
The movie seems to cover a day or two, and involves Lily going to a disco with her brother and then dumping him there alone while she goes off with an "aging playboy" as someone referred to him.
She seems to tease and play games with everyone until they are tired of it, and at the end she does succeed at fooling a young man into deflowering her, and then curses at him and goes off on her own ... a theme in the movie, I walk alone being a song that is played several times.
What this movie is about or is trying to say I have really no idea. Perhaps how hard women have it in life, or how hard men have it in life ... could be either. It was hard to watch all of this girls squirming and tantrums.
One thing is that she was well cast as physically she was a beautiful Venus type of girl, full-figured and completely un-self-conscious and a force of nature which nothing can control. But she does not seem to be any better at the end of the movie or have undergone anything but a small tear of the hymen in this movie, hardly a dramatic transformation.
I gave the movie a 4 for its attempt at real life and the guts to show what it did in the way it did, but I could not recommend it, nor would I want to see it again, or would I see it if I knew it was going to be so blah.
The mother father, and their 14 year old daughter, and 16 year old son rent a trailer at the beach for the summer.
The son and daughter are cooped up like chickens and squabbling constantly, so immediately both get on your nerves, but mostly the daughter ... something is just bothering her.
Well, I guess it turns out to be raging hormones. The title someone said in the American version was "Virgin" and the main goal of this movie seems to be to get this awful girl laid.
"Lily" does not read, and makes fun of those who do, though she professed to want to be a writer when she grows up. She disobeys her parents and bothers her brother constantly, the reason is that she has raging hormones I suppose.
The movie seems to cover a day or two, and involves Lily going to a disco with her brother and then dumping him there alone while she goes off with an "aging playboy" as someone referred to him.
She seems to tease and play games with everyone until they are tired of it, and at the end she does succeed at fooling a young man into deflowering her, and then curses at him and goes off on her own ... a theme in the movie, I walk alone being a song that is played several times.
What this movie is about or is trying to say I have really no idea. Perhaps how hard women have it in life, or how hard men have it in life ... could be either. It was hard to watch all of this girls squirming and tantrums.
One thing is that she was well cast as physically she was a beautiful Venus type of girl, full-figured and completely un-self-conscious and a force of nature which nothing can control. But she does not seem to be any better at the end of the movie or have undergone anything but a small tear of the hymen in this movie, hardly a dramatic transformation.
I gave the movie a 4 for its attempt at real life and the guts to show what it did in the way it did, but I could not recommend it, nor would I want to see it again, or would I see it if I knew it was going to be so blah.
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