Written by: Carroll Jenkins on March 22nd, 2009
Theatrical Release Date: France, 1990
Director: Patrice Leconte
Writers: Claude Klotz, Patrice Leconte
Cast: Jean Rochefort, Anna Galiena, Roland Bertin, Maurice Chevit, Philippe Clévenot, Jacques Mathou, Claude Aufaure, Albert Delpy, Henry Hocking, Ticky Holgado, Michèle Laroque, Anne-Marie Pisani, Pierre Meyrand, Yveline Ailhaud, Julien Bukowski, Youssef Hamid, Laurence Ragon, Arlette Tephany, Christophe Pichon, Thomas Rochefort
DVD released: April 28th, 2009
Approximate running time: 82 minutes
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Anamorphic Widescreen
Rating: NR
Sound: Dolby Digital Mono French
Subtitles: English
DVD Release: Severin Films
Region Coding: Region 0 NTSC
Retail Price: $29.95
Synopsis: A young boy’s dreams, fantasies, romantic and sexual obsessions lived out in manhood – or are they?
Anna Galiena as Mathilde the “sadly beautiful young hairdresser” enjoys her work. From her perspective, the world around her is a sadly distraught place and she takes personal consolation in the lovingly romantic advances of her mature husband. Jean Rochefort as Antoine is outstandingly entertaining shown from his devotion to and sexual admiration of his hairdresser wife to his wild physical gyrations which calm even the most distraught child. The cinematography and direction feature captivating shots and angles that provide beautiful glimpses of physical admiration, companionship, and emotional co-dependence.
As the movie unfolds we observe interactions with the customers; character studies vignettes that present glimpses of the outside world through the goldfish bowl prism of the barber shop. There are several ambiguities that leave the viewer with unanswered questions, paradoxes which the director acknowledges but evasively defers to interpretation by the viewer.
The DVD:
The presentation is quite fine, widescreen anamorphic, French with removable English subs. There are two interviews one each with director Patrice Leconte (in French with English subtitles) and star Anna Galiena (in English), and the trailer.
The featurette interview with director Patrice Leconte (Girl On The Bridge) offers insight into his work in general and this film in particular. As he reviews each film in his career [to this point] he discusses his role as voyeur and spy. He also reveals the first time he acted as both cameraman and director, these are key factors in achieving the intimacy that pervades this film.
A romantic drama that defies soap opera cliches, this is one ‘chick flick’ that delivers. Recommended viewing with your soul mate – or maybe the object of your obsession.