:
Catherine Deneuve,
Catherine Deneuve,
William Hurt,
more...
:
Tonie Marshall,
Tonie Marshall
see all cast/crew...
: Not Rated
: Fox Lorber
: Foreign, France, Spain
: 96 min.
: English, French
: English
see additional details...
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A middle-aged Frenchwoman is either experiencing delusions of grandeur or the full force of destiny in director Tonie Marshall's 2002 romantic drama Nearest to Heaven (Au Plus Pres Du Paradis). When single non-fiction book author Fanette (Catherine Deneuve) accidentally bumps into former schoolmate Bernard (Bernard Le Coq) -- who was smitten with Fanette in school but whose affection remained unrequited -- she is reminded of another man whom she loved intensely. This other man, Philippe, left a huge impression on Fanette as she begins to lose herself in reminiscences over the brief, intense relationship the two experienced. After catching a number of screenings for the 1957 film An Affair to Remember -- which was also Fanette and Philippe's favorite film during their fling -- Fanette gets the notion from what may or may not be a figment of her imagination to go to New York and visit the observation deck of the Empire State Building. Setting out under the pretense of putting the finishing touches on her latest book, she arrives in the States and discovers her usual photographer has been replaced by the single and somewhat attractive male photographer Matt (William Hurt) -- which further confuses Fanette when she eventually develops feelings for him. ~ Ryan Shriver, All Movie Guide
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by talltale
April 18, 2005 - 7:39 PM PDT
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2 out of 3 members found this review helpful
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Writer/director Tonie Marshall, who scored a major hit in France in 1999 with her "Venus Beauty Institute" (much less so over here in the US), went on a few years later to make NEAREST TO HEAVEN, starring Catherine Deneuve and William Hurt. That the film appears never to have received a US theatrical release is no surprise. It stinks--though in a manner that leaves room for some awfully charming moments and wonderful acting from both the leads and the supporting cast. That's the upside.
The downside is that Marshall seems to be smitten with the old Cary Grant/Deborah Kerr "An Affair to Remember," to the point where she really has no further plot to add to this mishap of a movie. For all the charm and reality that Deneuve and Hurt bring to things, the film begins to drag badly by midpoint and then goes further downhill. Really now, moviemakers: isn't it time to retire this infantile obsession with "An Affair to Remember." It was a fun tearjerker in its day, and it still exists on DVD anytime you (or we) want to watch it. Leave it at that--and move on. |
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GreenCine Member Rating
(Average 5.00)
2 Votes
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