Foreign Student

The Foreign Student is about a French foreign exchange student having an "Interlude of inestimable value" at a University in Virginia circa 1956. He has a passionate affair with a local "colored girl" (Robin Givens) despite rampant bigotry. The critics didn't like this film, but I like it very much. The character development is wonderful, and Robin never looked better. The themes are profound, and the cinematography is spectacular. This film will not get your adrenalin pumping, but it will touch your heart.

I was there. I arrived in the US from Paris France for my first year in the US in 1954 (v. 1955 in the movie.) I had no idea what "Football" was. I went out. I said I wanted to be a "guard" because I thought that's what they called the guy in the backfield who "protected" the "Quarterback" who then threw me the ball (what I really wanted.) When they told me to get in the line, I didn't know what to do. So, when the ball was snapped, I pulled out of the line and ran around the end with the quarterback. "Hey, Mr. McGehee, Ned is running away!" That's when I realized that American boys could be nasty, unlike the affable qb in the movie. That's when I felt bullied for the first time in my life. That's when I realized that American boys are raised to be "over-competitive." I'm eighty now, and I've come through fine; but, it wasn't as easy as in Hollywood. In summers, I lived in the mountains of North Carolina, where I made good long-term friends amoung the mountain people, who are neither bullies nor prejudiced. This movie rang very hollow to me, as though it was written by a foreigner who was never there. Sh-boom.

A slightly above average film, watchable for the entire time (I saw it a lazy Sunday afternoon). It never got too slow, the plot moved along regularly, with sufficient evolving narrative to evoke interest throughout.

The tale centers on a young man who leaves Paris, France to study as a freshman in college in rural Virginia. The movie heralds his attempts at acceptance, sometimes funny, sometimes poignant, politically charged with one main issue of the day (race relations).

The four main characters, and several supporters, were well developed. A pre-Tyson Robin Givens (as April) did a fine job, she was smoldering hot. Marco Hofschneider (Philippe) was not at his most emotional, but although some might call his performance wooden, his range of emotion seemed appropriate for me. Heck, it's not as if all actors must seem as if they're hamming it up during an audition for All My Children.

Rick Johnson (Cal) and Charlotte Ross (Sue Ann) more than make up for any perceived lack of emotion by Marco with their satisfying efforts.

The theatrical picture "Foreign Student" is, looked at on its own, a sensitive and often moving film. The atmosphere of 1950s Virginia is skillfully re-created, the performances, are for the most part, incisive and stirring, and the script is tender and refreshingly non- melodramatic, allowing the proceedings to evolve in a mature and realistic way. Yet for all that, all this, the greatest plus, the most positive element is--drum roll, please--Robin Givens. As April, the local schoolteacher who also works as a domestic, she deftly creates a soulful and sexual woman. We immediately see why French exchange student Phillipe is drawn to her, why he falls in love with her. Indeed, we rather envy the young Parisian for being able to hook up with such a sexy and mature and quietly passionate girl. And when, at the end, they part and April leaves him a warm and loving good-bye note ("To Phillipe. All my love. Always. April"), we genuinely feel Phillipe's satisfaction at having had such a gorgeous and caring and fully-rounded lover. It is Robin's graceful beauty, her smoldering sexiness, and her classy intelligence that make her such an admirable love object and cause her to be the high point of the picture. When People Magazine did a story on her during the 1980s, it quoted her as contending that her long-range plans included more parts for "wholesome black girls--we don't have many female heroes in that vein." Robin Givens's character in "Foreign Student" may not be "wholesome," but through her smooth good looks and stylish sex appeal, she is certainly, definitely a "female hero" for black girls and, in fact, for girls of all races.

I just saw this movie and thought it was great. I was moved to tears. I just loved the way you can almost FEEL the love and tension between the characters. The movie is both funny and touching. It's a great love story. I also thought the main Character, Phillipe, is very good looking which adds to the appeal.I REALLY DID feel a connection with the characters and I recommend it.