L'étoile du Nord (1982)

Director:

Pierre Granier-Deferre

Writers:

Georges Simenon (novel), Jean Aurenche (adaptation),

Stars:

Simone Signoret, Philippe Noiret, Fanny Cottençon

2 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Simone Signoret	...	Mme Louise Baron
Philippe Noiret	...	Edouard Binet
Fanny Cottençon	...	Sylvie Baron
Julie Jézéquel	...	Antoinette Baron (as Julie Jezequel)
Liliana Gerace	...	Jasmina
Gamil Ratib	...	Nemrod Lobetoum
Jean-Yves Chatelais	...	Valesco
Jean Dautremay	...	L'ingénieur
Pierre Forget	...	Albert
Jean-Pierre Klein	...	Moïse
Michel Koniencny	...	Domb (as Michel Konieczny)
Patricia Malvoisin	...	Arlette
Jean Rougerie	...	Monsieur Baron
Julien Bukowski	...	Un rempailleur (as Julien Bukowsky)
Abdallah Chahed	...	Un égyptologue

Storyline

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Plot Keywords:

ring | tram | 1930s | pyramid | fez | 

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

France

Language:

French

Release Date:

31 March 1982 (France)

Also Known As:

The North Star

Filming Locations:

Brussels, Brussels-Capital, Belgium

Company Credits

Production Co:

Sara Films, Films A2

Technical Specs

Runtime:

124 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Fujicolor)

User Reviews

One of the greatest French actresses' swansong.

End of the line for Simone Signoret.And unfortunately,not one of her best ,by a long shot.Granier-Deferre was never a great director ;he continued the cinema de qualité tradition.His closer relative is certainly Jean Delannoy-who did a better job with Simenon's books :his two late fifties Maigret are brilliant.Like him,he's icily impersonal ;that's why French critics -in spite of some moments of inspiration:"le chat" " la veuve Couderc" and his overlooked "une étrange affaire" ,probably his finest hour-never hailed him as an "auteur" .

The first part is almost entirely Signoret-less and ,as Fanny Cottençon is totally bland (acting like a Barbie Doll),the audience desperately relies on Noiret.When Signoret's part becomes more important,as the movie progresses,the film begins to hit its stride.But it remains listless .Granier is unable to make Signoret's house's guests interesting:Clouzot ("l'assassin habite au 21" ) and Duvivier ("la fin du jour" ) ,Granier-Deferre cannot hold a candle to both of them.Only Signoret's fans need bother.But I guess they are numerous so...But if they have not seen "manèges" ,"diabolique" or (her triumph!) "Casque d'Or" ,do not think twice.