Gerard Darier Movies
The troubled life of French sculptor Camille Claudel and her long relationship with legendary sculptor Auguste Rodin are portrayed in this passionate biographical drama, featuring an acclaimed performance by Isabelle Adjani. Beginning in the 1880s with a young Claudel's first meeting with Rodin, the film traces the development of their intense romantic bond. The growth of this relationship coincides with the rise of Claudel's career, helping her overcome prejudices against female artists. However, their romance soon sours, due to the increasing pressures of Rodin's fame and his love for another woman. These difficulties combine with her increasing doubts about the value of her work to drive Claudel into an emotional tumult that threatens to become insanity. First-time director Bruno Nuytten had previously served as a cinematographer, and he brings this experience to bear in his loving presentation of Claudel's sculpture and the lavish period setting. The dramatic approach is in tune with the impressive visuals, which present Claudel's life as a grandiose melodrama, a transformation that irritated some critics. However, few questioned the film's value as a dramatic showcase for Adjani, whose fervent portrayal was rewarded with an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. The American release version was cut to 159 minutes. ~ Judd Blaise, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Isabelle Adjani, Gérard Depardieu, (more)
- 1982
As a young boy, Tommaso's (Gerard Darier) interest in women and in his cousin Marta (Mariangela Melato) in particular, inspired him to bore peep holes into her wall and vicariously partake of her forbidden private life, including her wedding day. Time goes by, and after living through many changes going on around him, Tommaso has grown up and is now a soldier in the military. When he sees cousin Marta at a train station one day, he jumps off his train, talks to her for awhile, and tries to give her some strength to face the various problems in her life. Both Marta and Tommaso suffer deceptions over the next crucial period -- Marta becomes estranged from her husband, and her daughter is more distant with each passing day. Tommaso's faith in humanity is dealt a few sharp blows as he watches a friend stoop to embezzlement and then is seduced by the same friend's wife. The youthful dreams of both cousins seem to deteriorate with time, perhaps leading the way to another stage in the "growing up" process. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mariangela Melato, Gerard Darier, (more)
- 1977
Paradiso follows the ramblings of an unemployed young man who lives at home with his parents, and wanders around one of France's industrial cities aimlessly, in search of bedmates -- certainly not a job. His confidante, whom he seeks out after a particularly long scolding by his father, is an older woman who works as a public toilet attendant. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Didier Sauvegrain, Gerard Darier, (more)
