The Proprietor (1996)

Director:

Ismail Merchant

Writers:

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

Release Date:

9 October 1996 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

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

Plot:

An expatriated French novelist (Jeanne Moreau) returns to Paris when she learns that her childhood home is being placed on the auction block...

Cast

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

Also Known As:

Propriétaire, La (France)
The Proprietor (UK)

MPAA:

Rated R for brief sexuality.

Runtime:

113 min

Country:

France | UK | USA

Language:

English | French

Color:

Color (Fujicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Australia:M | Iceland:L | UK:12 | USA:R (certificate #34541)

Filming Locations:

Bergdorf Goodman - 754 5th Avenue, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Merchant Ivory Productions

Soundtrack:

Will the Circle Be Unbroken

A bold vision for a film

I had seen previews for this film for several years before I could find it in the local Blockbuster and waiting was worth it. The story is tender, without being overdone. All of the characters are connected in meaningful ways, although I have to say casting Sam Waterson as an art auctioner may appear to be an odd role for him, he handled it well.Jeanne Moreau was delightful in the lead. The triumph of the film is her ability to move in and out of the visions with her mother and her lover. While some viewers may have found this far-fetched, just remember that grief creates many levels of reality. The friendship that developed with Josh Hamilton's character (William O'Hara) is great. Despite the fact Moreau finds him a total bore when they first meet, and they then become friends becomes the universal message of this story. Throw in the reconcilation of a marriage gone bad, and the young couple overcoming their cultural differences, and the story comes full circle. The scenes of racial problems in Frances brought the issue to light. Few Americans see this side of France. I give the movie an eight.