Una cierta sonrisa

After one innocent kiss a bittersweet romance eventually blossoms so naturally between young Dominique (Christine Carere) and the easygoing charmer Luc (Rossano Brazzi), who also happens to be married to Francoise (Joan Fontaine).

There is a tug of war within Dominique as she tries to come to terms with her feelings for Luc as well as for young Bertrand who wants to marry her. Human nature being what it is, we can understand all too well what she goes through -- the hopes and dreams, the joys and sorrows that make up life's experiences -- all are a part of her growing up. However, there is a price to pay for gaining maturity but she comes through in the end.

Romantic music throughout sets the mood for many tender scenes as well as a few frolicking lighthearted ones. Early on Johnny Mathis sings "A Certain Smile" to perfection. Don't pass this one up if you are a Mathis fan.

Joan Fontaine is admirable in her portrayal of the loving, caring wife who must deal with a husband's waywardness. One fine actress!

This is Romance indeed with a very human touch.

Francoise Sagan's novel, tailor-made for sunbathers on the Riviera, has been adapted into the kind of schoolgirl-romantic movie the book deserves. French law student in Paris, a petite lass with doe-eyes, meets her fiancé's family for the first time: his wealthy snob of a mother, her overly-solicitous daughter and the daughter's husband, a suave charmer with a seductive manner. This older man takes the girl for a walk alone in the garden and kisses her; soon after, on a secret date, he proclaims his love for her. Twentieth-Century Fox had high hopes for new discovery Christine Carère, French film actress brought to Hollywood to dazzle Americans audiences. She followed this picture later the same year with the musical "Mardi Gras", but audiences weren't smitten and it's clear why. Carère's English is thick and astonished-sounding, her smile flirtatious, her stare coquettish and knowing. It isn't clear how much of a flirt or a tease this girl is meant to be, but when her heartbreak comes and Alfred Newman's romantic music is poured over the images, it's clear we're supposed to be mad about her. Although Carère's performance improves in the film's third act, it would take a gallant screen lover to find her irresistible. Seasoned pro Rossano Brazzi tries, much to his chagrin. ** from ****

Bertrand (Bradford Dillman) is engaged to Dominique (Christine Carère). He takes her to see his aunt and uncle (Joan Fontaine and Rosanno Brazzi) and almost immediately, the uncle puts the moves on Dominique...and she acquiesces. Something tells me that this isn't going to end well.

"A Certain Smile" is a romance which just didn't work for me. Part of it is because the 'romance' isn't exactly romance...it's a married man having an affair with an engaged woman. It's hard to like either because of this. The young lady isn't a particularly engaging character or actress. And, the man just comes off as some 'dirty old man' by the way he acts and comes on to her. Additionally, Françoise (Joan Fontaine) is an odd character...as I think she's supposed to be French but sure didn't talk as if she was French! As for Bertrand (Bradford Dillman) is also supposed to be French but sounds 100% American. Overall, a film which looks good but fell flat for me...though I can see some enjoyed it quite a bit.

Christine Carère is a law student at the Sorbonne. She is engaged to fellow student Bradford Dillman. She has an affair with professor Rosssano Brazzi, which ends badly.

Jean Negulescu's lush version of Francoise Sagan's novel shows his painterly eye for landscapes and scenes, as Mlle Carère spouts existentialism as it is better to do than to be, and fouls things up completely. I have never read the book, so I can't tell if that is the mesae there, or if screenwriters Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett added that. I have a lot more sympathy for Joan Fontaine as Brazzi's wife.

Johnny Mathis gargles the Oscar-nominated title song.

It has some beautiful scenery, and a very hummable theme song, but other than that it's not very effective. Director Negulesco did much better with the studio-bound "Best of Everything." One doesn't really care about any of these self-involved people (well, maybe a little for the Joan Fontaine character). Zero chemistry between supposed lovers Brazzi and Carrere. For some much better film adaptations of Francoise Sagan novels, try Bonjour Tristesse and Aimez Vous Brahms (in which Yves Montand plays the same compulsive-womanizer type as Brazzi in "Smile," but somewhat more compellingly). I have to admit that Sagan's characters in general are pretty boring to me.