La petite sirène (1980)

A 40-year-old mechanic whistles at a passing teenager; she stops and upbraids him. In embarrassment, he claims he was whistling at her companion, her 14-year-old cousin, Isabelle. This ... See full summary »

Director:

Roger Andrieux

Writers:

Roger Andrieux, Yves Dangerfield (novel)

Stars:

Philippe Léotard, Laura Alexis, Evelyne Dress

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Philippe Léotard	...	Georges Maréchal
Laura Alexis	...	Isabelle Pélissier
Evelyne Dress	...	Nelly
Marie Dubois	...	Bénédicte Pélissier
Marianne Winquist	...	Véronique
Diane Sorelle	...	Claire
Nadège Clair	...	Une soeur d'Isabelle
Jean Franval	...	Harcour, le patron du garage
François Dyrek	...	Un ami de Georges
André Penvern	...	Un ami de Georges
Nicole Vassel	...	Une amie de Georges
Manuela Gourary	...	Une amie de Georges
Louis Navarre	...	Le maître d'hôtel huppé
Pierre Frag	...	Robert, le serveur
Maurice Travail	...	L'homme entreprenant dans le métro

Storyline

A 40-year-old mechanic whistles at a passing teenager; she stops and upbraids him. In embarrassment, he claims he was whistling at her companion, her 14-year-old cousin, Isabelle. This changes Isabelle's outlook on life: her favorite story is Anderson's "Little Mermaid," and she thinks that in Georges she's found her prince. She follows him, engages him in conversation, and turns up at his flat. At first, he pushes her away and tells her she's nuts, but slowly he finds that she brings out of him a playful self, and he likes her devotion. The attraction builds, threatening Georges' adult relationships, including that with Nelly, his sweetheart. Where on earth can this affair lead?

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Plot Keywords:

little mermaid | based on novel

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

France

Language:

French

Release Date:

20 August 1980 (France)

Also Known As:

The Little Mermaid

Company Credits

Production Co:

Apple, France 3 (FR 3), Les Productions Jacques Roitfeld

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Connections

Version of The Little Mermaid (1975)

User Reviews

I first saw this 20 yrs ago in my teens, thinking how lovely and tragic!

There really ought to be a word for the description of seeing a film twice - once when you are an adolescent, and then when you are an adult. Seriously.

Sexuality was especially difficult to deal with. Yes, I felt it, but I could never EVER admit it. And so movies (thank you CABLE) were my outlet for letting me know I was maybe normal.

I remember seeing "La Petite Sirene" in the early '80's and immediately identifying with the American heroine Laura, the ugly-duckling who actually goes after the mechanic who shows some interest in her.

FYI The sex scenes are very PG. And the ending is somewhat downbeat.

Still, this put me on the road to film as a major in college. so hey!