Veronique Genest Movies

Pierre Richard directed, co-scripted and stars in this French comedy. Former top film comedian Romain (Richard) is on a downward spiral -- rehearsing a play directed by his sister while also dealing with his wife, mistress, taxes, low self-esteem, demands for attention from his two children, and a private detective attempting to snap incriminating photos. Producer Jean-Louis Levi appears in a cameo as a poverty-stricken bum. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide

Camille (Penelop Schallenberg) is the only child of her unmarried journalist mother Marianne (Veronique Genest). She has never known who her father is, and her mother isn't telling. However, in her rush to get to an assignment in the Middle East, her mother left behind three letters addressed to three men Camille has never heard of. When she opens the letters, she discovers that they exhort each of the men to look after Camille, as they may be her father. Naturally, Camille looks them up, letters in hand. Just as naturally, they get to know one another, squabble over who is the real father, and conspire to break her out of the orphanage she is put into when the authorities find out her mother has become a political prisoner. The three very different prospective fathers are played by Guy Marchand, Christian Charmetant and Luc Thullier. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide

A long parade of actors and actresses pop up in an unconnected series of skits, vignettes, and sight gags in this comedy anthology by Jean Curtelin. Among the sketches performed is one with Jean Carmet playing a man from the sticks woefully burdened with the challenge of getting through a dog food commercial on less than one tank of intelligible French. Another skit shows a silent duel between an airport custodian and an automatic door, while another with the renowned Michel Galabru sets up a strange teacher-student exchange. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide

This run-of-the-mill comedy adventure film never quite overcomes the obstacles of a predictable script and dialogue. The story is about poor François Pepin (Francis Perrin, also the director), an unfortunate reporter who seems to attract accidents with no effort at all. He is smitten by Prudence Guilledou (Veronique Genest), the daughter of a French newspaper mogul -- an amour that may even help him in his own career. But then the charming Prudence is kidnapped, and François dashes to her rescue, only to find himself and his rescuee subsequently on the run through the Alps trying to keep a few steps ahead of the kidnappers. But is the situation as hopeless as it looks? ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide

A young woman is abandoned by her lover after she tells him she is pregnant. Deeply depressed and longing for home, she boards a train out of town. Unfortunately a terrible train wreck ensues. She survives and ends up taking on the identity of one of the dead passengers. Now comfortable and secure that her child will have some claim to legitimacy, the woman is happy. Unfortunately, her dead-beat lover shows up and promises to make trouble if she doesn't pay up. The melodramatic plot is based on a story by Cornell Woolrich and was made twice before as No Man of Her Own (1932 and 1949 respectively). In 1996 it was remade again as the romantic comedy Mrs. Winterbourne starring Riki Lake and Shirley MacLaine. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

The internationally renowned string quartet had been performing together for most of their adult lives when their lead violinist suddenly died, leaving the remaining three confused about their lives and careers. Up till then, all they had known were the rigors of constant practice and traveling. Music was everything, and they never took the time to sample Life's other pleasures. The trio decide to split up, but then a young violinist shows up and convinces them to reform the group and let him take over. He is one of the most talented players they have ever heard and the quartet once again makes sweet music. But as good as he is on stage, the youth is a wild man off stage who freely smokes dope, sleeps with fans, and parties whenever he can. Seeing that his private life has not affected the brilliance of his playing and even suspecting that it may even improve his playing, the three old players are thrown into personal tail spins as they look back at their own austere life choices. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide