I have now watched the rest of LE COLONEL CHABERT. I have to admit, I was initially confusing it with THE RETURN OF MARTIN GUERRE which also stars Gerard Depardieu. Both films share the same premise, which is of a soldier returning from a war, and there then being doubts as to his identity. Martin Guerre is based on a supposed real event in the 16th century, whilst Col. Chabert is from one of Balzacs set of short tales. In it, Col. Chabert is reported as dead, and his wife swiftly sells off his valuables (while only recording his sentimental property) remarries to an upwardly mobile chap, and, all looks rosy. However, she has a past, and when The Col. returns, she fears all will be ruined. Meanwhile, we are unsure that The Col. is really he, or an imposter on the make. This is further complicated by the lawyer who acts for both parties, who appears to have an agenda all of his own. What I did not realise beforehand was that the wife is played by the wonderful Fanny Ardant, who I first became aware of when I saw a film called La femme dà côté (where she also starred with G.D.) which was directed by Truffaut - who was a one-time lover of hers - (I even had that films poster on my wall for many a moon). Not only that , but the Lawyer is played by Fabrice Luchini, whos work I have recently adored in the delightful confection Women from the 6th floor , and, most significantly, in the brilliant DANS LA MAISON . Thus , Col.Chabert has all the credentials, and it lives up to its billing. G.D. is a bit like Ringo Starr ...he raises his game when he knows the work merits it . In this he is superb - his eyes reveal thought in a way that only the best actors can .He is at once a hulking presence, whilst simultaneously a phantom, a spirit ...in this way he links to a line from Hamlets ghost , through Magwitch , down to , (even) Sly Stallone in First blood. BTW - The producer is the same who went on to make Tous les matins du monde, the last in my box-set, which I am saving for next week, full with anticipation.
Posted on: Sun, 16 Mar 2014 09:23:42 +0000
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