Nelly & Monsieur Arnaud (1995) 

Directed by Claude Sautet (Un coeur en hiver)

Starring Emmanuelle Bart (Strayed), Michel Serrault (Rien ne va plus) 

A character driven movie that is very similar to quite a few other French films, relationships and their ensuing problems within a bourgeoisie framework.

So since this is just one of a multitude why does it deserve attention (if indeed it does). Quite simply its down to the wonderful performances of the titular characters, especially Emmanuelle Beart as Nelly.

Nelly has had enough, she slaves away in a variety of part time jobs while her husband lazes around their apartment watching T.V. too idle to look for work and living a free and easy life, all this despite the growing debts the couple face. After meeting Pierre Arnaud though, the future looks decidedly brighter. He gives her a no strings loan, enough to clear the existing debts but also enough to make her decide to end her marriage and find a small apartment studio just for herself.

M. Arnaud, a former judge and big time businessman is writing his memoirs, Nelly takes on the job of typing them up and helping to edit them ready for the publisher. The rest of the film covers the growing attachment between the pair and while this doesnt lead to any sort of romance; she definitely spurs him back into life. There are countless subsidiary characters and subplots but the films success hinges on the two central performances. Michel Serrault is excellent as a man who finally finds someone he can truly open up to and Emmanuelle Beart is utterly bewitching and captivating in her role where a simple expressive movement of her eyes can say more than a whole volume of words could.

Not essential viewing but a very well performed and polished character study.

Cheers Trev.

BBFC rated PG

R2 dvd available from Path, R1 dvd available from New Yorker Films.