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Isabelle Adjani,
Isabelle Adjani,
Gérard Depardieu,
more...
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Jean-Paul Rappeneau,
Jean-Paul Rappeneau
see all cast/crew...
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: Columbia TriStar
: Comedies, Foreign, Black Comedy, Costume Drama/Period Piece, France
: 115 min.
: French
: English, Spanish, Portuguese
see additional details...
This title is currently out of print.
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The last frantic days before the Germans seized France in 1940 provide an unlikely backdrop for this dark comedy. Viviane (Isabelle Adjani) is a glamorous and well-known film actress who attracts the attentions of many men -- often many she has no interest in knowing. One night, at a reception following the premiere of her latest picture, Viviane finds herself pursued by Beaufort (Gérard Depardieu), a government official whose girth exceeds his charm. To throw him off her trail, Viviane allows a cranky older man, André Arpel (Nicolas Vaude), to escort her home. During the evening, Viviane and André quarrel, and after slapping him, she discovers that he has simply dropped dead. An understandably terrified Viviane calls a former boyfriend, Frédéric Roger (Grégori Derangère), and asks him to help her get rid of the body. In hopes of reviving their romance, he agrees, but after an auto accident, Frédéric is caught with the body, and is taken to jail to await his trial. When word gets out that German troops are due to arrive in Paris at any minute, Frédéric and his fellow prisoners are instructed they're to be moved out of town; Frédéric is handcuffed to petty thief Raoul (Yvan Attal), and en route the two are able to make their escape. When Frédéric learns that Viviane has fled to Bordeaux, along with much of the French upper crust, he makes his way there, where he finds he has a new rival for her affections -- Beaufort, who no longer seems such a poor prospect. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
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| Who is Gregori Derangere; and why is he in this movie?
by WReynolds
August 21, 2004 - 4:43 PM PDT
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1 out of 5 members found this review helpful
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Who is Gregori Derangere; and why is he in this movie?
Why is he the male lead in this movie?
He simply cannot match the screen presence of the rest of the principles.
Adjani seems particularly at a loss in her scenes with Derangere.
But I'm not sure better casting would have saved a script where the MacGuffin is heavy water!
I lost interest about chapter 17.
For Gregori Derangere fans only. 5 of 10. |
| Balancing Act
by talltale
August 19, 2004 - 8:16 AM PDT
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6 out of 8 members found this review helpful
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| BON VOYAGE is up there among the most sophisticated films I can recall. The reason: its tone. Director Jean-Paul Rappeneau manages to hover--like some crack high-wire artist--precisely between melodrama and farce. This works, and beautifully, because the melodrama keeps you alert and interested while the farce aspect will have you not laughing aloud (because of this amazing balance) but smiling throughout. We've revisited World War II through so many different aspects--from "Schindler's List" to "Hogan's Heroes" that it's bracing to see this particular time portrayed in a way that is different yet--for all its melodrama and farce--oddly believable. Almost nobody here is a true "hero." Characters do what they do in their own behalf; sometimes that behalf coincides with right, sometimes with wrong. The acting tows the same wonderful balance as the writing and direction, while the look of the film is gorgeous and so very in-period. See what you think--but by all means give this one a rent! |
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GreenCine Member Rating
(Average 6.40)
45 Votes
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