L'armata sul sofà

Jean Paul Rappeneau is considered as an outsider in the world of French cinema because of his scant cinematographic output.This does not mean that he has not produced works of quality.He has made many interesting films including some literary adaptations and has also worked with some of the big names in French cinema as Montand,Adjani,Noiret and Deneuve. This film called "La vie de Château" is a perfect example of laughter during the times of war.Both the lead players Catherine Deneuve and Philippe Noret look much too young.The film shows a typical quality of French people: Paris is always better than provincial towns.This is because Paris as everything which people want: discos,cinemas, theaters,night clubs and of course restaurants.The depiction of war is also very humorous as a soldier instead of fighting falls in love with a beautiful woman.This is a charming film depicting the natural beauty of French countryside.The only regret is that it was filmed in black and white.

Another delightful French pastiche, this time set around the time of the D-Day landings in Normandy; a fine cast headed by Catherine Deneuve, Pierre Brasseur and Philippe Noiret lend themselves admirably to the spirit of the thing. LA VIE DE Château takes in everything from the issues of class difference (farm girl Deneuve is married to wealthy good-for-nothing Noiret), collaboration (Noiret's family flaunts its supposed Nazi sympathies for their own material gain while secretly despising their oppressors) and heroism (it's Noiret who ultimately emerges as the unexpected - and perhaps unwilling - hero, eventually winning back the straying affections of his wife). Director Rappeneau recently returned to the same stylistic territory and historical background with equally terrific results for his BON VOYAGE (2003).

This minor gem is a lightweight romance set during World War II in the French countryside. It struck me as unusual because I didn't expect a Gallic romantic farce that included Nazis. In any event, it's well played; Deneuve is at her most beautiful; and the lush, romantic music by Michel Legrand is beautiful, too. Nice.

Yet another worthwhile past-time of old French movies. A bit of everything, anti-war, comedy, love story, what else?

The story isn't great, but Rappeneau with Deneuve, Noiret, Brasseur, this one must not be missed.

A flawlessly made catch of love, hate and boredom of a bunch of people in 1945, while the allied assault on the French coast is underway.

Actually, with paratroopers about to be landing on the lawn of that castle! From the first minutes you wouldn't dare guessing that this is what is going to happen, with everyone concerned about apples (or just not).

I can only rate it as seven, alas, because of the unbelievable story. Starting with counting of apples, and ending with a complete transformation of one of the heroins, it's just not realistic.

Enjoy watching it, and don't expect a movie of serious narration.

Rappeneau has directed few films over the past four decades (just seven) but he's created a solid body of work that has meant commercial success even if critics sometimes expressed dismay over the casting of big stars. I wrote about Le Sauvage (1975), expressing my pleasure at the excellent handling of comedy between Deneuve and Montand, and the same is true here. Deneuve is fabulous as the bored wife stuck in the country in wartime--she's dying to get to Paris and won't let her husband forget it. When Henri Garcin as the resistance leader shows up at the château, she's thrilled as well as annoyed at the intrusion into their domestic life.

The film has been made under the sign of tradition: the influence of Feyder's Kermesse heroique is ever-present (the local people trying to outwit the invaders), as well as the aristocratic life satirized by Renoir in Rules of the Game, where the habits of daily life take on great significance (Noiret complains to Deneuve about the apple cores in the basement; she couldn't care less). Now, I await with great anticipation his new film Bon voyage.