Although controversial at the time and in some quarters no doubt still frowned upon, this film from the Enfant Terrible of French cinema, Bertrand Blier, has avoided the exploitation of Bertolucci's 'Last Tango in Paris', not to mention the tackiness of which Adrian Lyne is guilty in his remake of 'Lolita' and has given us a compassionate, bittersweet and courageous depiction of the sexual relationship between a fourteen-year old girl and her thirty-year old stepfather.
What enables this piece to transcend its daring subject matter is its innate Gallic finesse, the intelligent script, adapted by Monsieur Blier from his own novel and the wonderfully 'true' performances he has drawn from his cast, not least the astonishing Ariel Besse, making her debut in a role turned down by Sophie Marceau whilst the highly gifted Patrick Dewaere in his third film for this director, received his fifth César nomination. Sensitive portrayals also, as one would expect, from Maurice Ronet and Nathalie Baye.
Cinematography is by Sacha Vierny whilst Philippe Sarde, brother of producer Alain, provides a subtle score that complements the film perfectly.
Quite simply, one of Blier's finest films that not only touches the heart but for this viewer at any rate, defies moral judgements. It is even more poignant in retrospect as within two years of its release Dewaere has died by his own hand and Ronet had succumbed to cancer. What a waste.
What enables this piece to transcend its daring subject matter is its innate Gallic finesse, the intelligent script, adapted by Monsieur Blier from his own novel and the wonderfully 'true' performances he has drawn from his cast, not least the astonishing Ariel Besse, making her debut in a role turned down by Sophie Marceau whilst the highly gifted Patrick Dewaere in his third film for this director, received his fifth César nomination. Sensitive portrayals also, as one would expect, from Maurice Ronet and Nathalie Baye.
Cinematography is by Sacha Vierny whilst Philippe Sarde, brother of producer Alain, provides a subtle score that complements the film perfectly.
Quite simply, one of Blier's finest films that not only touches the heart but for this viewer at any rate, defies moral judgements. It is even more poignant in retrospect as within two years of its release Dewaere has died by his own hand and Ronet had succumbed to cancer. What a waste.