Micheline Luccioni Movies
- 1983
In this charming, semi-autobiographical look at his politicized past, director Gerard Mordillat focuses on the ironic, the wistful, and the sometimes ludicrous events that spin off from the Communist/anarchist upbringing of his main character, Maurice Decques (François Cluzet). Maurice's tendency to swing over to the bourgeosie in his adult career as a caterer to social gatherings of varying stature is also reflected in the woman he marries - a Czech whose family chose Paris over Moscow "because the USSR has concentration camps" as she told her shocked Communist father-in-law. When Maurice is caught in the 1968 student demonstrations in Paris, the officer who hauls him off is soon recognized as an old childhood buddy, and instead of heading to jail, the policeman/friend takes Maurice home. As the police van drives out of view, the two buddies are seen as young kids, sitting on the hood of a car and dreaming about the future. These flashbacks to his childhood occur throughout the film, with Maurice sometimes walking into and out of the scenes, as though there were no gap in time at all. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- François Cluzet, Robin Renucci, (more)
- 1974
This drama explores the adventures of a sexually active young Danish girl who flees to Paris to escape having her youthful follies thrown in her face all the time by her family. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jocelyne Boisseau, Etienne Chicot, (more)
- 1973
Two neighboring French families are going through major life-ceremonies at the same time: one is experiencing the funeral of the clan's mother, and the other is preparing for a wedding. In this comedy, the mix-up of flowers for the two parties is only a prelude to a mix-up of guests and some gentle embarrassment all round. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michel Bouquet, Jean Carmet, (more)
- 1971
In this characteristic French farce, Louis De Funes in the role of Antoine spoofs the 1959 American classic black comedy, Gazebo. In Jo, De Funes is being investigated by the police because his name was on a list kept by a missing blackmailer who is presumed to be dead. Antoine has good reason to know, as he was there when the fellow died; in the moment he almost managed to shoot the man, someone else kills him. He is stuck with the body, and he keeps having to move it while the police are watching him. Fortunately for him, they are somewhat inept. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Claude Gensac, Christiane Muller, (more)
- 1970
The Daydreamer (Le Distrait) stars Pierre Richard (who also directed) as a stumblebum ad-agency employee. Unable to get by in the "real" world, he opts for his own fantasy world, in which everything goes right for him and he always gets the girl. After several blithe moments, the businessman manages to find success and romance for real. Filmed in 1970, The Daydreamer was released in the U.S. in 1975, after the success of the Pierre Richard comedy The Tall Blonde Man With One Black Shoe. The film was also released as Absent-Minded. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Pierre Richard, Bernard Blier, (more)
- 1958
Charles Boyer is Maxime in this seriocomic period romance. Maxime is an ageing roue who, partly out of boredom and partly because he needs a steady source of income, arranges the romantic assignations of his protégé, wealthy Hubert (Felix Marten). The old rake's current mission is to weaken the resolve of the lovely Jacqueline (Michele Morgan), who had previously told Hubert to get lost. As it turns out, Maxim falls in love with Jacqueline, especially after discovering that, despite her own impoverished state, Hubert's money means nothing to him. But when Hubert begins acting like a human being instead of a rich jerk, Jacqueline is at last attracted to him, leaving the philosophical Maxim to stand by philosophically, his rogueish smile hiding his broken heart. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michèle Morgan, Charles Boyer, (more)
Emile Zola's obscure novel entitled "L'Assommoir" has been made into several films. This is one of the best. In this two hour movie an entire mini-series worth of problems have been compressed about a young woman to whom life has dealt hard blows. Set in the 19th-century, this woman deals with an alcoholic husband while doing everything within her power to keep the family together. An incredibly depressing movie in which the protagonist keeps on trying no matter what besets her, the performances are creditable and the direction superb. Self-involved characters give viewers no one to cheer for, but this movie received multiple awards, ranging from Best Actress at the Venice Film Festival to an Oscar nomination for Best Foreign Film. The music was composed by Georges Auric. ~ Tana Hobart, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Maria Schell, François Perier, (more)
