Claire Keim Movies

A couple whose ages are separated by 25 years face an uncertain future in this romantic drama. Roman (Thierry Lhermitte) is a cartoonist in his early fifties who for the past five years has been involved with Lulu (Claire Keim), an attractive actress in her mid-twenties. Roman and Lulu have been very happy together, and while there are no outward flaws in their relationship, Roman can't shake the feeling that Lulu would be better off spending her life with someone her own age. When Lulu lands a movie role in America, she begins packing her bags for a trip to California, but the weekend before she leaves, Roman decides to tell her that it's time they parted ways -- a decision she hardly agrees with. Le Roman do Lulu was directed by Pierre-Olivier Scotto, who also appears in a supporting role as a publisher. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

While Louis XIV had the longest reign of any French monarch and used his nation's military might to significantly expand his nation's control of Europe, he was also a noted patron of the arts with a particular love for dance, and this historical drama looks at the unlikely relationship between the King of France and noted 17th century composer Jean-Baptiste Lully. As a teenager, Louis XIV (played by Emil Tarding) was the ostensive ruler of France, but his mother Anne of Austria (Colette Emmanuelle) made most of the decisions, while Louis staged elaborate dance pieces set to the music of Lully (Boris Terral). When Lully was forced to leave Italy, he found an eager patron in young Louis, who loved his music and was fascinated by the flamboyant composer and his libertine ways. Years later, after Louis XIV had grown to adulthood, the more mature ruler (now played by Benoit Magimel) took control of France's political and military affairs, to the annoyance of the Prince de Conti (Idwig Stephane), who had been Anne of Austria's top advisor. But as Louis confronted his European neighbors, he also established a French dance academy and commissioned Lully to write a number of new dance scores. Lully's flamboyant nature and open infidelity with both men and women earned him the enmity of the more conservative members of Louis XIV's court, but the King remained Lully's champion until health problems began to affect his ability to dance -- causing him to lose interest in performance, as well as in Lully's music. Le Roi Danse also explores Lully's relationship with Jean Baptiste Poquelin Moliere, with Tcheky Karyo portraying the great playwright. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

This French-German-Belgian thriller, reminiscent of Misery (1990) and The Collector (1965), begins after Fred Astaire-fan Clement (Jean Rochefort) invites comic-book artist Luc (Guillaume Canet) to Sunday dinner with Clement and his wife Violette. Luc's girlfriend Margot announces her pregnancy, prompting Luc to forget about the invitation, but Clement insists that Luc join him. After Luc arrives and sees that Violette is only a life-size plastic doll, he decides to leave but gets clobbered on the head. Awakening, he finds he's been handcuffed to the bathroom sink and gagged. Cruelties ensue, with crazed Clement getting visionary advice from both Astaire and Violette. Award-winning composer-arranger-orchestrator Philippe Haim made his feature directorial debut with this drama, and music is very much a part of the film from Haim's score and music-box melodies to tap dancing, honky-tonk piano, and a full musical comedy production number. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi

For 30 years the title eatery has delighted its customers with good family style French cooking, but as with many good things, its time has come and it must close. This semi-autobiographical French drama, adapted from screenwriter/director Laurent Benegui's novel, chronicles the final meal served to 15 loyal patrons on closing day. Amidst affectionate humor and occasional pathos, much attention is paid to the conversations, personal situations, and emotions of the diners and the staff. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

Throughout history, Immortal Nicholas Ward (Jeremy Brudenell) has covered his murderous tracks by capitalizing on current superstitions and hysterias. Back in the 1840s, for example, Ward killed several people in Paris but arranged the evidence so the authorities were convinced that the carnage was the work of vampires. It is now 1994, and Ward is back in Paris once again targeting helpless young women -- and once again escaping detection. But Duncan (Adrian Paul) sees through this latest "vampire plague" and intends to stop Ward before he can kill again. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi