Belle maman (1999)
Directed by Gabriel Aghion

Film Review

Although it has none of the originality and daring of Gabriel Aghion's previous film, Pédale douce (1996), Belle maman is a respectable comedy-romance which benefits from an exceptional star-studded cast.  Catherine Deneuve hasn't looked as good as this for years and her feisty performance, alongside the magnificent Vincent Lindon, is one of her most rewarding in decades.  Line Renaud, Stéphane Audran and Jean Yanne also provide great entertainment value, and more than a touch of poignancy, in their well-drawn supporting roles.

Aided and abetted by ace screenwriter Danièle Thompson, Aghion manages to balance the film's comic and dramatic elements with great skill, although the film does feel unevenly structured.  After a spectacular opening sequence, which wrong-foots the spectator into thinking this is going to be a frenetic, hugely energetic musical, the pace slips abruptly into that of a more conventional French comedy-drama.  The sudden shift in location doesn't help matters - one minute we're in Paris, the next we're in the Bahamas, then back to Paris - neither does the over abundance of half-developed story strands.  All this wild toing and froing suggests that Aghion didn't have a clear vision of the kind of film he was trying to make at the outset.  In a way, it's a jolly pot pourri of a film - colourful and fragrant, but a bit of a mess, albeit an attractive one.

There is some great comedy (and a lot of needless vulgarity, but let's overlook that), which should guarantee at least a few laughs.  The film's final sequence - where the angelic children of the odd-ball family attempt to unpick the complex plot of relationships - is hilarious.  The film's main achievement, however, is in its sensitive and credible portrayal of a forbidden affair.  Gabriel Aghion's films may lack tact and discpline, but they certainly aren't dull or predictable.

Film Synopsis

Antoine, a successful lawyer, is about to get married to Séverine when he falls for his future mother-in-law Léa, a 50-something who manages a luxury hotel in the Bahamas.  He makes his feelings known but, ever the pragmatist, Léa insists she is not the woman for Antoine.  She makes a discrete exit, allowing the marriage to take place as planned.  Not long afterwards, Antoine and Séverine travel to the Bahamas to attend a family get-together to celebrate the 70th birthday of Léa's mother, Nicou.  The latter is a lesbian who lives with the slightly batty Brigitte.  Léa arouses in Antoine the same feelings as before and he is shocked by the news that she intends to marry her unreliable lover.  It isn't until Léa is back in France to host a television show that the clear-headed business woman realises that she is attracted to Antoine.  By this time, Antoine is certain he has married the wrong woman...