Boda Branca

Not a bad movie about impossible love, but I would suggest that you see Eric Rohmer's films a second time before taking a look at this one. What is the fascination of older man for young Lolitas? In this one, it's Vanessa Paradis, who's playing the student who get her philosophy teacher (Cremer) all tangled up in a web of difficulties. The fascination also with the troubled girl who's despaired, all the while hiding a terrible secret: she's smart, very smart. The movie is ok but sometimes a little bit too improbable. Performances are good, not great. A better film in the same genre: À la folie, pas du tout... (with Audrey Tautou). On the bright side, the movie offers an inside of what kind of feelings teachers like François are capable of developing. Every day, there's teachers who put themselves in the same situation. Society seems to be able to understand why a young girl like Mathilde could fall in love with a much older man, but the reverse ain't true.

Out of 100, I gave it 73. That's good for **½ out of ****.

Seen at home, in Toronto, on May 11th, 2004.

This film was outrageous, about a teacher acting on the advances of a minor. Even though the minor played by Vanessa Paradis who was 17 at the time of acting this part was sexually aggressive this does not excuse the teacher, a man in the position of power, from allowing himself to be drawn into her web. The minor was a little mentally unstable but very intelligent and unconventional to say the least. He should have offered her love and support but not sex. This is an interesting film, though, very watchable if totally unrealistic and amoral.

I saw this movie for the first time when I was 15 or so (1992) and ever since then I have seen it at least another 7 or 8 times. This is true, you know. School girls DO fall in love with exactly these kind of ppl. Not everyone falls for the latest boy-band-model-of-the-year type. Some goes for the sophisticated, sensitive, reliable and wise men. I got the movie from amazon as VHS, and still hope that one day it will come up as DVD title. Most recommended, for those who want to see true love in the eyes of young girls.

It's been over a decade since I saw this film, but I do remember it rather fondly. It showed sensitivity for the characters as well as the subject matter, instead of being exploitative. At the same time, it was quite frank in dealing with the story and of course, it ends tragically. I also remember being impressed with Vanessa Paradis, both for playing a difficult role deftly, and for her physical beauty. It was only recently that I became aware of her real-life relationship (being Johnny Depp's girlfriend).

I would love to see the film again, but it seems it hasn't been widely circulated on DVD, and the R2 disc is hard to find. What a pity.

must watch movie but not for faint hearted/ emotional ones like me.

i'm so moved by the movie that at 5.12 a.m in the morning i'm writing this. all night i've not slept. i just wanted to distract my mind from the movie so that i could sleep. that didn't happen i will have to go to class at 7 without sleeping. why these touches our heart, when i know love is not anything. somebody is sad without it , others are sad with it. love just distracts your mind for some days , then when you adjust with it and ponder what next.......... and then you realize it was not what you wanted... perhaps

acting by Vanessa paradis is outstanding, she is now the wife of Johnny depp......

she is looking so gorgeous