For Better and for Worse (TV 1993)

A young Catholic couple contemplating marriage gets divided by their separate heritage - she's rich and he's the son of a butcher. However, the real pressure comes on them when a publicity ... See full summary »

Director:

Paolo Barzman

Writer:

Tony Gilroy

Stars:

Patrick Dempsey, Kelly Lynch, Gérard Rinaldi

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Patrick Dempsey	...	Robert Faldo
Kelly Lynch	...	Catherine Vernet
Gérard Rinaldi	...	Bernard Touchet
Catherine Alcover	...	Carmina Faldo
Paul Bandey	...	Reporter 2
Antoine Blanquefort	...	Gilbert
Marianne Borgo	...	Nathalie Vernet
Rémy Burkel	...	Bodyguard 1
Maya McCallum	...	Elisabeth Vernet
Simon Eine	...	Cardinal Koenig
Denis Fouqueray	...	Police Inspector
Jean-Yves Gautier	...	Mr. Boulanger
Dominique Hollier	...	Reporter 1
Steve Kalfa	...	Philippe Faldo
Michele Laurence	...	Cleaning Lady

Storyline

A young Catholic couple contemplating marriage gets divided by their separate heritage - she's rich and he's the son of a butcher. However, the real pressure comes on them when a publicity stunt to lure the Pope to their marriage as a symbol of the unity of the Catholic Church goes awry when the Pope accepts. This sets the press on their heels and increases the pressure on them leading them to call off the whole wedding.

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Plot Keywords:

wedding | farce

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Genres:

Comedy

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA France Canada Belgium

Language:

English

Also Known As:

R.S.V.P.

Company Credits

Production Co:

Canal+, Centre National de la Cinématographie (CNC), Chrysalide Film

Technical Specs

Runtime:

87 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Quotes

Philippe Faldo: He has just arrived!
Robert Faldo: What? Who?
Philippe Faldo: The Pope, you dope!

User Reviews

ENJOYABLE RETREAT FROM THE MUNDANE.

A Franco-American production, shot in Paris and environs, this is a well-made and pleasing romantic comedy involving wedding plans for two young Parisians, Robert (Patrick Dempsey) and Catherine (Kelly Lynch) who, after whimsically posting an invitation to the Pope for their espousement, are astonished when the Pontiff accepts; however, the betrothed pair become estranged before the nuptial day due to misguided mutual jealousies and repercussions are wide-spread, enmeshing the Cardinal of Paris and the public relations firm that is organizing the fete, along with many other parties who would profit by having His Holiness in attendance. The work is splendidly cast, utilizing able Continental players who are facile in English sharing all supporting roles, co-stars Dempsey and Lynch being the sole Americans, and the screenplay by Fabrice Ziolkowski after a story by Tony Gilroy is nicely crafted with few jarring notes from dialogue, while the film is crisply directed and edited as well as very nicely designed, particularly in reference to the costume design of Valerie Pozzo di Borgo; camerawork and lighting of Yves Dahan is consistently inventive; notable acting turns come from Gerard Rinaldi as a harried publicity executive trying to save his faltering company, Simon Eine portraying the papally ambitious Cardinal of the Archdiocese of Paris, and Jean-Pierre Stewart as a lusty Polish painter.