Review: MADEMOISELLE CHAMBON

Affairs have been the subject of many dramatic films thru the years. NOW VOYAGER and BRIEF ENCOUNTER concern men and women sharing a short doomed romance. Add France’s MADEMOISELLE CHAMBON directed by Stephane Brize to this long list, As opposed to other explorations of this theme, this film tries to show how this affair would occur between members of the French working class.

The film opens with a man wielding a jackhammer at a home renovation project. This is Jean played by Vincent Lindon( he reminds me of Ben Stiller crossed with  the hangdog expressions of Brad Garret). We then see Jean on a picnic with his adoring wife Anne-Marie(Aure Atika) and sweet young son Jeremy(Arthur Le Houerou). Both Jean and Anne-Marie are attentive parents who try and help Jeremy with his lessons after the meal. Anne-Marie is soon back at her print shop job while Jean tends to his aged, demanding, widowed father. One day Jean shows up at Jeremy’s school to take him to Anne-Marie who has injured her back at work. It is at the school where Jean meets Jeremy’s teacher Veronique Chambon(Saundrine Kiberlain). Jean is immediately taken aback by her . She asks him if he would be available to speak to the class on the monthly father career day as the scheduled speaker had just cancelled. Jean agrees and returns later to field many articulate questions about home building from the enthusiastic schoolchildren. After class Veronique asks if Jean could take a look at a leaky window at her apartment. He also agrees to this and after inspecting the window he says he needs to be replaced. Upon his return with his supplies and tools Jean sees a violin and photos of her playing the instrument. He coaxes her into playing a classical piece for him. Jean is moved by the beauty of the music. She loans him several CDs and when Jean returns them the two quickly fall into each others’ arms. What will they do with this intense attraction?

This question is explored in the script by Brize and Florence Vignon based on Eric Holder’s novel. Besides their physical attraction Jean and Veronique don’t seem to have much in common beside their enjoyment of classical violin. He has a loving family, but seems a bit bored by his job and having to handle his grumpy dad. She seems a bit lonely after having to transfer to a new town at the end of every school year. The acting is very good throughout. Lindon really conveys Jean’s frustration at trying to decide what to do . He even lashes out at his wife and co-workers. Kiberlain expresses a longing sadness as she listens to an answering machine message from her mother reminding her of her sister’s successful career and marriage. Unfortunately Jean’s frustration becomes the viewer’s as several characters behave in illogical ways late in the story. I suppose the filmmakers are trying to show how desire affects people. It just makes it more difficult to invest in the characters as they must make many possible life-changing decisions. At the end of  it we’re left with a portrait of two people who have made poor choices. I appreciate the skill of those involved , I just wished I could’ve gotten a bit more out of it emotionally.

My rating: THREE OUT OF FIVE STARS