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(Trop belle pour toi) (French) Directed by Bertrand Blier (Going Places, Menage, Merci la vie, others)
Cast: Carole Bouquet, Gérard Depardieu, Josiane Blasko, Roland Blanche
Plot: Bernard (Depardieu) has the perfect wife and home -- 2 kids, immaculately kept surroundings, high-class all the way, particularly his wife, who is all elegance and cool grooming. But is he happy? Or does he, perhaps, feel a little out of place in his perfect world? That could be why he finds himself strangely and compulsively drawn to his new secretary. She's certainly no hot babe, but then, he already has that at home. Could it be that Bernard is ready to trade in the equivalent of Gucci loafers that pinch for a comfy old pair of house shoes?
Unfortunately, it's not all that simple in a Blier film. Bernard does try the swap for awhile and spends a quiet weekend away with his frumpy love. But the dirty dishes and the old lady bathrobe turn out to be a bit more of a dose of comfort than Bernard anticipated. Bernard's waffling between his wife and mistress is made more difficult to follow by jumps in time and fantasy scenes that aren't always distinguishable from reality. And neither his wife nor his secretary are as simple as they appear.
A complex little film that is not always coherent but that is, as usual with Blier, a fascinating and realistic look into the human character.
Trivia: Carole Bouquet, who plays Depardieu's beautiful wife in this film, was a family friend for years until Depardieu and his wife, Elisabeth, separated. Bouquet and Depardieu are now a couple.
Awards:
Won 5 Césars (French Academy Awards) including Best Actress (Bouquet) and Best Director (Blier). Was nominated for another 6 Césars including Best Actor (Depardieu)
Won the Special Jury Prize at Cannes in 1989.
US/UK Status: Available on VHS in the US but not in the UK
Links:
Imdb.com listing
Site about Blier's various films
Roger Ebert's review
Washington Post review #1
Washington Post review #2
On This Site:
The video and poster for this film is available in our Shop
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