Jeanne et le garçon formidable (1998)

User Rating:

6.5/10   

Directors:

Olivier Ducastel (co-director)
Jacques Martineau (co-director)

Writers:

Olivier Ducastel (writer)
Jacques Martineau (writer)

Release Date:

16 April 1999 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Musical | Romance

Plot:

Jeanne has an appetite for love that can never be satisfied. Lovers at every corner of her life she is still in search of that "one"...

Plot Keywords:

Love | AIDS | Protest | Homosexual | Death

Awards:

3 wins & 4 nominations

Cast

Virginie Ledoyen	...	Jeanne
Mathieu Demy	...	Olivier
Jacques Bonnaffé	...	François
Valérie Bonneton	...	Sophie
Frédéric Gorny	...	Jean-Baptiste
Laurent Arcaro	...	The Messenger
Michel Raskine	...	The Plumber
Damien Dodane	...	Jacques
Denis Podalydès	...	Julien
David Saracino	...	Rémi
Nelly Borgeaud	...	La mère de Jeanne
René Morard	...	Le père de Jeanne
Jean-Marc Rouleau	...	L'ami d'Olivier
Sylvain Prunenec	...	Jérôme
Emmanuelle Goizé	...	The Bookseller

Also Known As:

Jeanne and the Perfect Guy (USA)

Runtime:

98 min | Taiwan:94 min | USA:105 min

Country:

France

Language:

French | English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

France:U | Switzerland:16 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:16 (canton of Vaud)

Filming Locations:

Paris, France

Company:

Canal+

Movie Connections:

References Saturday Night Fever (1977)

A comedy drama that really sparkles!

It's not so much the story itself but its presentation that shines in this film. It's a kind of modern operetta in which the characters sing their roles, reminiscent of "Umbrellas of Cherbourg" (although not as good). The singing is thin and whispery but it does have an intimacy that seems to suit the characters. The story is simple: Girl meets lots of boys,sleeps with lots of boys, then chooses an absolute stranger whom she believes is the perfect guy. But in truth no-one is perfect.A chance meeting of this guy (Mathieu Demy) on the Metro with an exchange of fleeting glances begins a romance that blossoms quickly until........ The mood of the film changes suddenly, but their love never wanes. Some of the light-hearted scenes are well-remembered e.g. the song and dance of the Algerian office cleaners, the out-burst of the Chinese snack bar assistant, the philosophy of the lazy plumber. I liked especially the courier who delivers letters and packets each day to "Jet Tours". His miming is great and he turns a minor role into a memorable event. The outdoor scenes are a delight - the promenade along the Seine and the steps to Sacre Coeur. These scenes plainly tell us we are in romantic Paris where love springs eternal. Much of the film's charm is due to Virginie Ledoyen who plays the sexy, highly spirited girl in search of perfection. For those in a romantic mood, this film is the one,