Mademoiselle (2001)
Directed by Philippe Lioret

Film Review

After notching up two popular successes with the off-the-wall comedies Tombés du ciel (1993) (later remade as The Terminal by Steven Spielberg in 2004) and Tenue correcte exigée (1997), director Philippe Lioret turned to the more familiar rom-com genre for his third solo effort.  This time he strikes lucky yet again, with a pleasing dose of sentiment served up by Sandrine Bonnaire and Jacques Gamblin - two great actors previously seen together in Claude Chabrol's 1999 crime drama Au coeur du mensonge.  What Mademoiselle offers is a bitter-sweet encounter between two seemingly ill-matched people who are destined to fall head over heels in love with one another.  It's the kind of low-key but emotionally involving romantic comedy which the French do particularly well and which is carefully calculated to stir the emotions and leave you desperately wishing that Hollywood could still make films like this.

Given Lioret's inexperience with the genre, it is perhaps understandable that Mademoiselle doesn't get it right all the way through.  There are one or two few scenes where the plot stutters and the sentimentality seems to be drizzled on a little too liberally, but the authenticity of the performances (Isabelle Candelier, Zinedine Soualem and Jacques Boudet all deserve a mention for their supporting contributions) and a generally true-to-life script prevents the film from slipping too far towards outright schmaltz.  After his previous two films, which could hardly be more different, Lioret shows a surprising sensitivity for human relationships.  This is something he would develop in his subsequent work, and in doing so become one of France's most respected filmmakers.  Sandrine Bonnaire would feature in his next film, the highly engaging drama L'Equipier.  Lioret's compassionate side would show itself in his later films, Je vais bien, ne t'en fais pas (2006) and the poignant immigration-themed drama Welcome (2009).

Film Synopsis

Claire is proud of the fact that she is one of life's highfliers.  She is married, with two adorable children, and has a successful career with a major pharmaceuticals company.  Meanwhile, Pierre is an inconsequential actor who just about scrapes a living performing improvisational acts at private functions, with his colleagues Karim and Alice.  At a business presentation, Claire finds herself attracted to Pierre, even though they have absolutely nothing in common.  When she misses her coach, Claire accepts the offer of a lift from Pierre.  Events conspire to prevent the couple from separating and they soon become aware of their deeper feelings for one another...