Category Archives: French

2006, Car Chase, Child Molestation, Complicated, Crime, Detective, Drama, Frame someone for a crime, French, Gangs, Kanopy streaming, Lawyers, Love Story, Suspense, Torture, Violent

Tell No One (2006)

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From NetFlix:

Eight years ago, pediatrician Alexandre Beck (François Cluzet) was the prime suspect in his wife’s murder. He’s put all that behind him, but now that two dead bodies have been found near his home, he’s suspected of wrongdoing once again. The case takes an unexpected turn when he receives an anonymous e-mail showing his wife alive — and eight years older — instructing him to “tell no one.” Kristin Scott Thomas co-stars.

Second Review – August 2021

NetFlix no longer offers this film. Instead you can stream this 2 hour 11 minute film from Kanopy (free from your local library).

Harlan Coben always writes wonderful suspense mystery stories. Many of his stories, including this one, have been made into films. In this particular adaptation it seemed to me that the final and very satisfying conclusion came a little too easily.

Somehow I have the impression that for the most part American films are noisy and French films are quiet. At least in this case, this excellent French intrigue film is fairly quiet, with the exception of some foot pursuit escape sequences and a highway pile-up.

What starts out as a simple murder mystery gets more and more complicated. Eventually one character especially tells us all the details in a way we can understand. But if you need a recap you could read the Wikipedia summary.

French with subtitles. Well worth the time spent watching.

2009, Drama, French, Love Story, Sex Scenes, Slow

Mademoiselle Chambon (2009)

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From NetFlix:

When shy schoolteacher and gifted violinist Véronique Chambon (Sandrine Kiberlain) invites blue-collar construction worker Jean (Vincent Lindon) to speak to her class about his trade, she’s surprised to find herself irresistibly attracted to him — and the feeling is mutual. But the gulf in their social positions and Jean’s marital status complicate matters in this quiet drama, which snagged an Independent Spirit Award nod for Best Foreign Film.

For the patient romantic only. Not only is the pace slow and quiet, but the film shots linger on and on. In this French film (with optional subtitles) often what is NOT said speaks loud and clear.

Basically it is the story of an attraction more than an affair. Personally I was thrilled that in at least one film the characters retain their honor and do the right thing.

For those of you who watch, do you think that Jean’s brooding and fixated behavior rings true ?

2007, Could Be Sad, DO NOT MISS, Drama, French, Love Story, Not Feel Good, War

A Secret (2007)

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From NetFlix:

Claude Miller directs this engrossing drama about a Jewish boy in post-World War II Paris who stumbles upon a mysterious toy in the attic, exposing his family’s secret dark past and how it survived Nazi atrocities. Can the child grasp the devastating truth, or will it drive him deeper into his personal fantasy world? Cécile De France, Julie Depardieu, Ludivine Sagnier, Patrick Bruel and Mathieu Amalric star.

Some historical background might help:

Pierre Laval (28 June 1883 – 15 October 1945) was a French politician. He served four times as President of the council of ministers of the Third Republic, twice consecutively. Following France’s Armistice with Germany in 1940, he served twice in the Vichy Regime as head of government. After the Liberation (1945), he was arrested, found guilty of high treason, and executed by firing squad. Because his actions and motives have been the subject of controversy, over twelve biographies have been written about him.

President Laval becomes important in the very end of this marvelous but sad French film. But keep in mind that during World War II the French were just as anti-semitic and treated the French Jews in the same manner as the Germans (I purposely do not say “Nazis”). Thus what begins as a happy well-adjusted French (but unfortunately Jewish) family ends as a family fleeing persecution at the hands of the French.

But that is just the background framework around the real story which is one of love, lust, and guilt. I give nothing away by telling you that on his wedding day (before the wedding) the athletic groom (gymnast) is introduced to the brother of his bride-to-be. That brother has an amazingly beautiful and athletic wife, a champion diver. Immediately the groom is more than strongly attracted to that sister-in-law, but the wedding proceeds. The rest of the story is why you want to watch this well-acted, beautifully photographed French film (with subtitles).

I consider this film a “don’t miss”.

1997, Drama, Explicit sex, French, Gay theme, Not Feel Good

Dry Cleaning (1997)

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From NetFlix:

For 15 years, Nicole (Miou Miou) and Jean-Marie (Charles Berling) have worked side by side at their dry cleaning establishment, building a business and maintaining a seemingly peaceful marriage. But a chance encounter with Loic (Stanislas Merhar), the male half of a brother-sister nightclub act they catch one night, forces the two to reevaluate their relationship, leading them to wonder whether they ought to be together at all.

What starts off slowly with a visit to a nightclub to see an act that only a French person might possibly appreciate, eventually turns into a sexual “who will do what to whom”. I can give nothing away, including an ending that I did not expect. But I would enjoy hearing anyone’s reaction to this film. But then as May West would have said “So many films, so little time”. (That is not quite what she said).

2008, Could Be Sad, DO NOT MISS, Drama, French

Summer Hours (2008)

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From NetFlix:

Sensing that death is close at hand, 75-year-old Hélène (Edith Scob) summons her three adult children to her home in the French countryside and tasks them with deciding the fate of her extraordinary art collection. This touching drama from internationally acclaimed writer-director Olivier Assayas stars Juliette Binoche, Charles Berling and Jérémie Renier as the three siblings forced to ponder their legacy and identity.

Finally a film that is suitable for everyone, although children may not appreciate the sadness of the situation.

Kathy and I saw the French film “Summer Hours” in the theatre. We loved it! The big screen makes all the difference in a film such as this. Sweet melancholy pervades the atmosphere as the inevitable passage of time forces a sequence of events. Two married brothers and their unmarried sister (a still beautiful but blond Juliette Binoche) truly love their mother and each other. Edith Scob seems just a little too stylish, healthy, sure-footed to be a 75 year old mother thinking of her death. In fact she dies early in the film. The camera follows the family’s every movement, at times seeming like a hand-held camera. If you are a francophile, you will fall in love with the old county estate and the artifacts therein. One brother will be living in China and almost certainly will never return to France. The sister will be living in the United States. The remaining brother is the most sentimental and dreads selling the estate and disposing of all the art works. Among so many details what moved me was the love between the siblings. None wanted to hurt the other or impose his or her own will. French estate taxes are horrendous, forcing the inevitable. Even the details (which child gets which painting, vase, etc.) are beautiful and important. What happens to the lifelong housekeeper ? One touching detail among many is that the sentimental son asks the housekeeper what things she would like to keep from the house as mementos. She says “Oh, there is that funny vase I always put flowers in, the vase with the bubbles on the outside.” That vase was a valuable artwork but the son gives it to the housekeeper without telling her its market value.

If you can get in the mood for a slow, moving, reflective film as only the French can produce, I urge you to see this film.

2006, Car Chase, English Dubbing, French, Not Feel Good, Nudity, Suspense, Violent

Tell No One (2006)

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From NetFlix:

Eight years ago, pediatrician Alexandre Beck (François Cluzet) was the prime suspect in his wife’s murder. He’s put all that behind him, but now, two dead bodies have been found near his home — and once again, he’s the suspect. The case takes an unexpected turn when he receives an anonymous email showing his wife alive — and eight years older — instructing him to “tell no one.” Kristin Scott Thomas co-stars in Guillaume Canet’s powerhouse thriller.

To watch this French film I used the excellent English dubbing (and the subtitles). From the very beginning I was glued to my seat. All the acting is good, but François Cluzet is the center of attention throughout. Suprisingly the film turned out to contain alot of action sequences (running, car chases) and Cluzet is either in very good physical condition or there is some digital trickery involved. But this is French action, so no Hollywood fireworks (except for some car crashes). The plot was clever, involved, with many twists. Even if you get confused by the end of the film all will be made clear and easy to understand.

There is violence, nudity, and abused bodies. Not for children.

If you want a solid 2 hours and 5 minutes of suspensful escape, this film is a good choice.

2008, Could Be Sad, DO NOT MISS, French, Not Feel Good, Redemption

I’ve Loved You So Long (2008)

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From NetFlix:

After more than a decade apart, estranged sisters Juliette (Kristin Scott
Thomas) and Lea (Elsa Zylberstein) try to rebuild their fractured relationship.
But the task is hardly easy, considering Juliette’s past. She’s been in jail
for 15 years — for killing someone. As she settles into small-town life with
Lea’s family, the locals can’t help but talk. Philippe Claudel’s feature film
debut garnered him a Golden Globe nomination for Best Foreign Language Film.

Do not miss this beautiful, sad, perfectly acted French film (with subtitles). Kristin Scott Thomas’ French is excellent. (She left England at the age of 19 to work as an au pair in Paris. She was married to François Oliviennes, a French obstetrician. They live in a 19th century country house with their children, Hannah, Joseph, and George.)

Part of the NetFlix description is misleading. Don’t worry about nosy neighbors except at one tense moment at a dinner party. Gossip has nothing to do with the film. Rather, the film is a warm testimony to the enduring and determined love of a wonderfully sweet younger sister (played to perfection by Elsa Zylberstein) for an older sister who has suffered an enormous amount. It is about the sister’s husband and children (and husband’s father) growing to trust and love Juliette. Above all it is about coming to terms with a sorrow that can never go away. You will probably guess early on what happened in the past, but that is nowhere near as important as some amount of redemption in the present.

2006, French, Unusual

Paris Je T’aime (2006)

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From NetFlix:

A collection of five-minute films about the City of Lights brings
Paris to life with a unique patchwork of 20 stories. Numerous
writers, directors and actors lend their distinctive vision to the
project, employing a wide variety of styles and subject matter.
Participants include Gérard Depardieu, Gus Van Sant, Ethan Coen,
Joel Coen, Wes Craven, Marianne Faithfull, Steve Buscemi, Juliette
Binoche, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Gena Rowlands and many others.

Because this is one weird film, I have put it into the “not for everyone” category. Despite the
beautiful photography, most of the 20 episodes deal with some negative aspect of Paris: Steve
Buscemi gets beaten up in the subway; Juliette Binoche mourns her dead young son; a female
vampire (vampiress ?) turns a young man into a vampire; etc.

Although the film is never boring, after awhile Kathy started to get itchy. All French dialog is
subtitled automatically. In addition we put on the English subtitles for hard-of-hearing because
some of the English is mumbled.

It was a fun challenge trying to identify the actors. At the end there is an alphabetized list
of all the actors which doesn’t tell you the episodes in which each actor appeared.

After seeing this film, I would not feel safe in much of Paris. My list of safe places to visit
in this world seems to be getting smaller and smaller. Or as the Kingston Trio used to sing:
“Oh, they’re rioting in Africa, la la la la la la”.

Caution,

2000, French, Not Feel Good

Under The Sand (2000)

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From NetFlix:

A long-married Parisian couple (Charlotte Rampling and
Bruno Cremer) takes a vacation at the beach. But Rampling’s
life is suddenly thrown into turmoil when Cremer goes for a swim
and never returns. A penetrating character study into the nature
of denial, Under the Sand showcases Rampling at her very best in a
role that most comparable American actresses would kill for in
Hollywood.

The NetFlix review can be believed. This is a film for adults who want
to see adults act well. I highly recommend this film.

2007, French, Not Feel Good, Revenge

The Page Turner (2007)

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From NetFlix:

As a child, pianist Melanie’s ( Déborah François) dream of
studying at a prestigious musical conservatory is shattered
when the chairwoman of the jury ( Catherine Frot) distracts
her during an audition. Years later, a coincidence leads to
Melanie’s employment in the woman’s household, and she
finds herself in the perfect position for revenge. Directed by
Denis Dercourt, this stylish psychological drama co-stars
Pascal Greggory.

Stephen King’s forte is revenge. But his revenge is usually
physically violent and just plain fun. On the other hand,
“The Page Turner” is French to the core. Subtle, quiet,
polite, it had me on the edge of my seat because I felt
that any minute something really awful was going to happen.

I strongly recommend this movie (NOT FOR CHILDREN)
and will only say “Don’t expect a happy ending”.

Stay alert.