there's a number of criteria used for big screen film selection
paris and kristen scott-thomas are 2 that carry heavy weightings
i totally trust her judgement in any film she determines is worthy
and any film set in paris has to be considered for that reason only
those 2 together - damn the lukewarm reviews - this is a must-see
kevin kline and maggie smith co-headliners so an interesting mix
various reviews indicating a bit of a lightweight but an ok storyline
queuing for tickets with grey-power confirming the target audience
the film opens with mathias (kline) walking up to a paris apartment
lets himself in and goes from room to room in the very large property
comes across mathilde (smith) and a conversation to get us up to date
he has come from new york to sell the property he has just inherited
she surprises him with the news she can live there legally until death
further he is obliged to pay her a healthy monthly fee as part of the deal
this part of a well-established and actual uniquely french property law
mathias then cursing his late father max for once again getting to him
chloe (scott-thomas) appears as mathilde's daughter also living there
there's angst all round with the 3 of them unhappy about the situation
more so with mathias moving in with no money and no place to go
so far - ok - nothing too compelling and not sure how it will pan out
some character-defining then starts as mathias and chloe talk more
he revealing a sad life with no money, few friends, low self-esteem
she has spent her life caring for her mother and also has few friends
though seen by mathias and confessing to an affair with a married man
things then really start to get interesting as more dialogue is exchanged
a reminder that the film is actually based on a popular theatre production
the director here - israel horovitz - at 75 is directing his first ever film
some critics suggesting his move from stage to film not all successful
not to my eyes and ears though - i am starting to really enjoy the ride
a photo spotted by mathias of himself as a boy sparks some real drama
he and chloe together at the house way back and some questions asked
her father often overseas - hunting trips - the house is full of trophies
his father a frequent visitor - and sometimes with his children with him
pressing mathilde on the subject and she confesses to a long-time affair
the possibility that mathias and chloe could have max as the same father
this as they are drawn closer to each other - things are getting messy
mathias revealing his state of mind largely due to his mother's suicide
wow - clever stuff - great acting from the 3 leads - i'm totally hooked
earlier concerns about the plot (or not) of the film now fully dispelled
it's dialogue-heavy but necessarily so - and uh-oh - a happy ending too
but there's a real case for sympathy for the characters - so happy is good
two words come up in post viewing discussion - heavy and confronting
here another case of the marketing of the film quite badly misdirected
proven with the grey power in attendance overheard to be unimpressed
it's no light comedy - but a serious theme - teach your children well
or - secretive sex can lead to far-reaching and long-lasting problems
me like this film very much - would happily see it again sometime
the reputation of kristen scott thomas remains intact...and enhanced
paris stars too - the seine, the latin quarter, notre dame all shown
that would please some looking for a lighter outing than offered
others wanting a challenge - take it on - a very satisfying film...
