Lola (1961)   Drama / Romance  


  • Director: Jacques Demy
  • Script: Jacques Demy
  • Photo: Raoul Coutard
  • Music: Michel Legrand
  • Cast: Anouk Aimée (Lola), Marc Michel (Roland), Jacques Harden (Michel), Alan Scott (Frankie), Elina Labourdette (Mme Desnoyers), Margo Lion (Jeanne), Annie Duperoux (Cécile), Catherine Lutz (Claire), Corinne Marchand (Daisy), Yvette Anziani (Mme Frédérique), Dorothée Blank (Dolly), Isabelle Lunghini (Nelly)
  • Country: France
  • Language: French
  • Runtime: 90 min; B&W






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Synopsis
This is the story of an attractive cabaret singer, Lola, who has been having casual relationships with men (the latest an American serviceman) whilst pining for her husband, who has been missing for seven years.  Her world appears content until she meets up with a childhood friend, Roland, who, lonely and depressed, falls in love with her.  Whilst there is evidently a mutual attraction between Lola and Roland, Lola remains true to her first love, even though there appears to be little chance of him ever returning to her.  Or is there...?

Film Review
This is a quaint film, in the mould of the New Wave in which director Jacques Demy was to thrive.  The film has a flowing, almost lyrical quality, which is a pleasure to watch.  There are fine performances from Anouk Aimée and Marc Michel, respectively Lola and Roland, and the direction and photography are quite masterful.  Throughout the film, one feels that one is sailing leisurely along in the white Cadillac of the mysterious stranger which opens the film.

Nevertheless, the characterisation is a little weak, probably because Demy has placed a greater reliance on the visuals than the script to tell the story.  In particular,  the character of Lola remains something of a mystery, and it is difficult to reconcile her reluctance to form a relationship with Roland when she has no qualms about inviting an American serviceman into her bedroom.

Still, this is a pleasing film to watch and one that is very, very evocative of the New Wave era of French cinema.

© James Travers 2006

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