A Garota de Lugar Nenhum

Jean-Claude Brisseau is an interesting and very original filmmaker with a lot of personality. Personally, I find that he's "akin" with Francois Truffaut and Eric Rohmer. We find him here not only as a director and writer, but also as an actor. The whole movie is a philosophical dialogue between his character, Michel Deviliers and Dora's character, played by Virginie Legeay. Towards the end of the film we have Brisseau's personal brand, the erotic scene, very soft here, not hard as those in "À l'aventure". The film has a unique atmosphere, is well played. The end, most difficult for any film, is easily missed. Anyway, those who like movies like Batman, Superman, Captain America and other similar bullshit, to stay away, could commit suicide while watching...

After watching this film I can't quite decide how I feel about it. Jean-Claude Brisseau might be a genius. Or he might be a flawed old pervert like some of his controversies would suggest. Regardless of reality there isn't much of the perverse in this one at all. The nudity isn't there to shock and there isn't nearly as much as some of his other films.

The whole thing is equal part's old man's fantasy and a hopeful wish for some meaning to existence. Or at least that's what I came away with. I think every man who knows he is past the time when he can easily attract the attentions of a young beauty has had at least a fleeting fantasy of a relationship suddenly appearing. Maybe it's platonic or maybe it's not. That would depend on the one doing the fantasizing.

At any rate this particular relationship is platonic, which makes it more believable. Virginie Legeay does an admirable job of making us believe that she really cares for the old man of letters. And the director, Claude Brisseau, does an admirable job of portraying a man who feels that he is nearing the end of his cycle.

My indecision comes from feeling some irritation with the meandering philosophical discussion while at the same time feeling somewhat uplifted. I do think it is a very good film on balance.

Basically I think you should watch it for yourself. I can't predict how you will feel about it but I think it's worth the time to find out.

I watched this film on video and was going to come back to it later, as it was already late when I started. I ended up watching it to the end, captivated by the actors and the various elements woven into the "action" (the word action only being partly appropriate). You may find yourself wondering, should you watch it, how much was left out of the final cut: For several elements touched on as the film unfolded were left open-ended. For would-be actors (or directors) an example of the power of understatement.

I found this a wonderful portrait of an unusual relationship between an older man, a thinker, a philosopher, and a young woman, who turns out to be quite a special thinker herself. The main thrust of the story, is that each has a need for the other, but also each is fiercely independent. Consequently, this sets up a conflict, both inside the individuals and between them. The conflict is generally good-natured and it gave me the impression of jousting, to try to arrive at a compromise, that suited each of them. There is some interesting philosophical discussion. Unfortunately, I found the ending disappointing. It was abrupt, and gave me the impression, that the writer was at a loss, as how to end the movie. For me this, however didn't negate the interesting material, that proceeded it. Only for those, who enjoy watching the subtleties of human relationships.

When you have lost a love I think you can understand this movie. Reaching for an illusion and wrapping that illusion in your everyday life. Very interesting story.