Michel, a retired math teacher, has lived alone since his wife’s death and occupies his time writing an essay about the beliefs that shape daily life. One day he comes across Dora, a young homeless woman, who shows up injured on his doorstep, and puts her up until she recovers. Her presence brings something new to Michel’s life, but gradually the apartment becomes the site of mysterious happenings.
Reviews
I watched this film on video and was going to come back to it later, as it was already late when I started. I ended up watching it to the end, captivated by the actors and the various elements woven into the "action" (the word action only being partly appropriate). You may find yourself wondering, should you watch it, how much was left out of the final cut: For several elements touched on as the film unfolded were left open-ended. For would-be actors (or directors) an example of the power of understatement.
Jean-Claude Brisseau is an interesting and very original filmmaker with a lot of personality. Personally, I find that he's "akin" with Francois Truffaut and Eric Rohmer. We find him here not only as a director and writer, but also as an actor. The whole movie is a philosophical dialogue between his character, Michel Deviliers and Dora's character, played by Virginie Legeay. Towards the end of the film we have Brisseau's personal brand, the erotic scene, very soft here, not hard as those in "À l'aventure". The film has a unique atmosphere, is well played. The end, most difficult for any film, is easily missed. Anyway, those who like movies like Batman, Superman, Captain America and other similar bullshit, to stay away, could commit suicide while watching...
This film is mostly drama...it has a tad bit or horror in it. But this is not a horror film. I found the story entertaining. The acting was great. It is a French film. I did not mind reading the subtitles.I rate this film and 8 because it feels like an 8 compared to the other films I have viewed recently.Good choice for leading man. He seemed effortless in his acting and I was easily absorbed.The leading lady was attractive and charming. All her scenes were believable.The story was obviously fiction. But to me that true virtues of this movie is that you allowed yourself to be absorbed and suspended reality to be engulfed in the movie.
I found this a wonderful portrait of an unusual relationship between an older man, a thinker, a philosopher, and a young woman, who turns out to be quite a special thinker herself. The main thrust of the story, is that each has a need for the other, but also each is fiercely independent. Consequently, this sets up a conflict, both inside the individuals and between them. The conflict is generally good-natured and it gave me the impression of jousting, to try to arrive at a compromise, that suited each of them. There is some interesting philosophical discussion. Unfortunately, I found the ending disappointing. It was abrupt, and gave me the impression, that the writer was at a loss, as how to end the movie. For me this, however didn't negate the interesting material, that proceeded it. Only for those, who enjoy watching the subtleties of human relationships.
