O Tímido e a Solteirona

It seems that the other user confounded this movie with another one. Well, he is American after all, maybe he doesn't know all the french films as I do. Anyway he is right when he says this is a good film. The tale of a lonely man who, one day, takes his phone and dials one number by chance. And the number is a lonely wife's too. After several calls they decide at last to meet. And from this point, this movie becomes riveting at the most. Very smart, I would say terrific as a very unusual plot between the two characters - Jean-Pierre Marielle and Annie Girardot - who also give us very gripping sequences. A very freshening film, cooling story I am not used to. Annie Girardot and Marielle at their very best. A little masterpiece written for the screen by Francis Weber.

I had hoped that the two great actors could somewhat shine in whichever flawed movie. Hell no, you can have the best casting and still make a terrible movie.

I cannot understand how the seasoned producer did this movie. I guess she was in love with the original book, bought the rights, hired Francis Veber to adapt it for a hefty sum and then couldn't let go. Maybe words on paper had a subtle black irony turn that would never make its way into moving pictures.

It starts very bad with this ugly shot of a depressed Marielle alone in his grim flat, with his voice-over narration that only deepens the abysmally boring scene. Then it is only about passive characters bumping more or less directly into each other. Try as I might I could barely watch this for over an hour. I surmise the last 20 minutes secure some kind of happy ending: the build-up was so exhausting that I definitely don't want any of it.