The Proprietor (1996)

An expatriated French novelist (Jeanne Moreau) returns to Paris when she learns that her childhood home is being placed on the auction block. What she doesn't count on is that she has to ... See full summary »

Director:

Ismail Merchant

Writers:

Jean-Marie Besset (screenplay), George W.S. Trow (screenplay),

Stars:

Jeanne Moreau, Sean Young, Sam Waterston

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jeanne Moreau	...	Adrienne Mark
Sean Young	...	Virginia Kelly / 'Call me French' - Sally
Sam Waterston	...	Harry Bancroft
Christopher Cazenove	...	Elliott Spencer
Nell Carter	...	Millie Jackson
Jean-Pierre Aumont	...	Franz Legendre
Austin Pendleton	...	Willy Kunst
Charlotte de Turckheim	...	Judith Mark
Pierre Vaneck	...	Raymond T.K
Marc Tissot	...	Patrice Legendre
Josh Hamilton	...	William O'Hara
Joanna Adler	...	New York - F. Freemder
James Naughton	...	New York - Texans
J. Smith-Cameron	...	New York - Texans
Michael Bergin	...	New York - Bobby

Storyline

An expatriated French novelist (Jeanne Moreau) returns to Paris when she learns that her childhood home is being placed on the auction block. What she doesn't count on is that she has to confront many old issues dating back to her childhood and bringing herself full circle to her present day life.

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Plot Keywords:

auction | childhood home | arrest | memory | film producer | 

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Taglines:

A story of changing times, constant relationships, and reconciliation with the past.

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for brief sexuality

Details

Country:

France UK USA

Language:

English French

Release Date:

9 October 1996 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Proprietária

Filming Locations:

Bergdorf-Goodman's Department Store - 754 Fifth Avenue, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Merchant Ivory Productions, Ognon Pictures, Fez Production Filmcilik

Technical Specs

Runtime:

113 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Fujicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Soundtracks

"Will the Circle Be Unbroken"
Written by Charles Gabriel (as Chas. H. Gabriel)
Performed by Nell Carter
Produced by Tony McAnany and Joel Moss

User Reviews

Jeanne Moreau makes this a worthy film

The mature and beautiful Jeanne Moreau makes this film worth more than a footnote or a curiosity in her filmography. The interplay between Moreau and Nell Carter is funny and moving. While there are transitions that are not as smooth or well written as they could be, this movie resonates with those of us who have reached "a certain age."

Though not all of us have the opportunity to revisit our pasts, we each manufacture the imagery that we carry with us for our lifetimes. Those of us who are lucky enough to get a chance to revisit our youth are often rudely awakened to the reality that the imagery we have carried with us is not necessarily reality.

This touching story involves a successful novelist, Moreau, who late in life decides to return to her Parisian roots. It is about her departure from New York, where she has been living since the war (WWII) and her return to Paris after 50 years. It is in the remembrance of her mother and the realizations of what actually happened to her as a child during the war that are the heart of this movie.

While there are unnecessary sub-plots, even these diversions give the director, Ismael Merchant, an opportunity to cinematically present Paris at its most lovely.

I consider this a very good movie with yet another brilliant and controlled performance by the incomparable Moreau. There are some very interesting character roles including Jean Pierre Aumont. The cinematography is lovely!