Comme si de rien n'était

The director admits that his first love is the theater, and all the scenes in the theater - rehearsals, performance - have a certain credibility that's often lacking in "backstage" films. Synopsized, the plot might seem maudlin: a passionate affair threatened by a serious illness. But the film is essentially a romantic comedy anchored by a sensational performance by the director as an unassuming nervous type - but someone entirely at home in the theater. The director has claimed that the film was produced at a cost of $400,000, thus putting the usual bloated-budget American and French films to shame. And one more thing: Only a director who loves actresses would give them as many crying scenes as there are in this film.

...but not for the reason Blier had in mind. This is an old-fashioned four-handkerchief weepie that comes laden with prizes from the kind of film magazines/festivals where they're partial to a 'beautiful and moving love story' and/or the 'art that transcends life', where an actor (Rufus) may be described as 'formidable' (in English that doesn't sound much but in French, 'formiDAHBLE' means up there with Brando) and an actress (Carel) may 'illuminate the screen'. True or false. Well, like everything in this life, you pays yer money and yer takes yer choice. Is there a touching love story? Yes. Does it end in tears? Yes ... but then again ... To nutshell it, a young, gifted actess (but in the theatah, not the movies) falls in love, gives an inspired performance on the first night, becomes terminally ill and ... well, terminates. But those who have known her are the richer for it. If this sounds a tad facetious it's not meant to be, it really IS a fine movie and one I will certainly see again. 8/10