Um Lugar Estranho Para um Encontro

This is the first feature film of Francois Duperyon and he is fortunate to have the services of two of France's most iconic stars one of whom, Catherine Deneuve, had sufficient faith in Duperyon to be the film's Producer whilst the screenplay is by the director and his wife Dominique Faysse.

One wonders what attracted Mlle Deneuve and Gérard Depardieu to this hollow, tedious, angst-ridden material. Both characters are an absolute mess emotionally and far too tiresome to engage our sympathies and their Love/Hate relationship is played out in and around the plastic cafeteria of a service station frequented by assorted musty superfluities. The one bright spark amidst the gloom is the taking performance of newcomer Nathalie Cardone as Sylvie, a waitress.

Deneuve and Depardieu have been described as 'la belle et la bete' of contemporary French cinema and although they do their best here, of their six films together this is undeniably the weakest.

Following this lacklustre effort Duperyon's films could only get better and of course he went on to redeem himself, notably with 'La Chambre des Officiers'.

The story in short: After a quarrel Catherine Deneuve gets dumped by her lover at a parking lot next to the freeway. Gerard Depardieu happens to be there with car trouble and he is instantly smitten with her. Will love blossom between the two or will they both learn to hate each other? What I particularly like about this movie is the quarreling. It is basically one contineous story of attraction and rejection, between a man and a woman. Both yearn for love, but try to get it from someone who couldnt care less for them. This doesnt stop them from trying. Love makes blind, that idea.

It is not a riveting drama. Not at all. It's a slowburning melancholic movie about 2 people desperatedly failing in love. But it is portrayed in such a detailed and interesting way that I found it a fascinating movie, which I have watched several times already over the last several decades. And it still stands strong.

But be warned, it is a very slowburning character portrait. No big thrills, no action, no sentimental feel good romantic scenes to be experienced. Not even great photography. None of that. Quite bleak, unnerving portrait of 2 people annoying eachother with their emotional problems. A bit dark at some, and a bit comical at other moments. Best suited for fans of Deneuve and Depardieu. Anyone not familiar with these 2 legendary French actors can be assured that one wont easily find any better acting performances.