time for a good bio-pic - this one is about violette leduc
she a prolific and provocative author from post ww2 france
the first sighting of her is being pursued in the countryside
captured and then being locked up and released 3 days later
part 1 - maurice - then begins as she returns to him at home
he more concerned with his need for quiet than her plight
for he is an obsessive author - and impervious to violette
she wants intimacy but he refuses in their false marriage
we see him attempting to seduce a man so that is a clue
it seems she is assisting him lay low for some other reason
but he tires of her advances and suggests she take up writing
pour out your feelings he implores - and to that she takes it up
he then leaves her with a torrid of verbal self-pity from violette
part 2 - simone - back in paris and violette delivering small items
she works the black market at the war's end to make some cash
on one delivery she spots a large book and stuffs it into her bag
le sang des autres - the blood of others - by simone de beauvoir
she devours the book and clearly impressed then tracks her down
a bunch of flowers in hand she follows simone through paris streets
which gives us time to admire the very impressive cinematography
kind of surreal - no other people or vehicles seen - and quite dark
she shyly leaves the flowers outside simone's room and dashes off
returning some days later with her own completed draft in her hand
simone promises to read it and curtly dismisses her - 'i'm very busy'
the black market dissolves leaving violette broke and in despair
saved by a note from simone - meet me at my place at 9am
she loves the book and wants to help get a publishing deal
and with that - an introduction to simone's circle of friends
part 3 - jean - he being jean genet - author and good guy
violette is star-struck initially but he becomes her friend
he knows violette is in love with simone and explains to her
sartre has me as his foil and simone has you - so it is perfect
violette flings herself at simone who only has an interest in writing
exploring all manner of femininity and violette is part of the team
for violette's writing is ground-breaking in it's honesty of her life
including a female lover at school, a bad marriage and an abortion
simone is already established and is off to america on a lecture tour
as she leaves violette hands simone a draft of her latest book - ravages
part 4 - jacques - he a gay friend of jean and also a wealthy perfumer
introduced as a fan of violette's first book - in the prison of her skin
the three of them then seen at jacque's country estate making a film
clever editting in of their black and white film and wide naturescapes
transitions accompanied by some stunning solo violin music (arvo part)
poor violette though - desperate for true love attempts to woo jacques
rejection and a dash back to paris in jean's classic citreon sports car
part 5 - berthe - violette's overbearing mother - shamed by violette
some absorbing scenes that help explain violette's sad loneliness
simone returns from abroad and with glowing approval of ravages
the book laying bare her love of simone and her ultimate rejection
despite that their friendship is strong enough to keep violette going
a suggestion from simone next sees violette on an exploration
part 6 - foucon - a small village where she is provided a house
the freedom of the country air inspiring her to write prolifically
and at last a relationship with a loving man - though married
returning to paris yet again with a renewed self-confidence
simone has lost her mother and she now needs violette
and the fruits of the country experience produce a book
part 7 - le batard - the bastard - goes on to be a best seller
launching violette's continuing career and a contented life
as seen in the final scene of her once again countryside
the unique violin music providing a splendid ending
a superbly crafted film - faultless really in every way
after-show reading indicating the accuracy of the tale
and the personality and appearance of the stars nailed
loved it - repeat play - definitely - recommend - totally...
