L'étudiant étranger

I was there. I arrived in the US from Paris France for my first year in the US in 1954 (v. 1955 in the movie.) I had no idea what "Football" was. I went out. I said I wanted to be a "guard" because I thought that's what they called the guy in the backfield who "protected" the "Quarterback" who then threw me the ball (what I really wanted.) When they told me to get in the line, I didn't know what to do. So, when the ball was snapped, I pulled out of the line and ran around the end with the quarterback. "Hey, Mr. McGehee, Ned is running away!" That's when I realized that American boys could be nasty, unlike the affable qb in the movie. That's when I felt bullied for the first time in my life. That's when I realized that American boys are raised to be "over-competitive." I'm eighty now, and I've come through fine; but, it wasn't as easy as in Hollywood. In summers, I lived in the mountains of North Carolina, where I made good long-term friends amoung the mountain people, who are neither bullies nor prejudiced. This movie rang very hollow to me, as though it was written by a foreigner who was never there. Sh-boom.

A slightly above average film, watchable for the entire time (I saw it a lazy Sunday afternoon). It never got too slow, the plot moved along regularly, with sufficient evolving narrative to evoke interest throughout.

The tale centers on a young man who leaves Paris, France to study as a freshman in college in rural Virginia. The movie heralds his attempts at acceptance, sometimes funny, sometimes poignant, politically charged with one main issue of the day (race relations).

The four main characters, and several supporters, were well developed. A pre-Tyson Robin Givens (as April) did a fine job, she was smoldering hot. Marco Hofschneider (Philippe) was not at his most emotional, but although some might call his performance wooden, his range of emotion seemed appropriate for me. Heck, it's not as if all actors must seem as if they're hamming it up during an audition for All My Children.

Rick Johnson (Cal) and Charlotte Ross (Sue Ann) more than make up for any perceived lack of emotion by Marco with their satisfying efforts.

The Foreign Student is about a French foreign exchange student having an "Interlude of inestimable value" at a University in Virginia circa 1956. He has a passionate affair with a local "colored girl" (Robin Givens) despite rampant bigotry. The critics didn't like this film, but I like it very much. The character development is wonderful, and Robin never looked better. The themes are profound, and the cinematography is spectacular. This film will not get your adrenalin pumping, but it will touch your heart.

Foreign student is a beautiful film. It's been a long time since i've come away from watching a film feeling 'high' on romance, or with my head in the cloud!! I love watching romantic movies involving interracial couples....it's so refreshing, new, and interesting! I also loved the song played in Foreign student, called 'you turn my life around' but i can't find it anywhere on the internet. Marco looked absolutely handsome and Givens looked beautiful...such a sweet couple...aaaaaaaaaah if i could find a man alike marco's character in Foreign student, or more precisely if he finds me and chases me i would me one happy girl!!! I need a man to sweep me of my feet, to really want me....i think all girls do. I recommend anyone go and see this film because it truly is beautiful and inspires you to find your true love and not to give up hope in finding it because it's out there for everyone!!!!

FOREIGN STUDENT

Aspect ratio: 1.85:1

Sound format: Dolby Stereo

Based on Philippe Labro's bestselling memoirs, Eva Sereny's film FOREIGN STUDENT strives valiantly for a sense of lyrical beauty, exemplified by cinematographer Franco Di Giacomo's evocative vision of rural Virginia in 1956, and by the sparse poetic voice-over, much of it presumably lifted from the book. But the narrative suffers from the vacuum of Marco Hofschneider's decidedly uncharismatic performance in the crucial leading role. The central romance lacks passion.