Une femme de ménage (2002)

User Rating:

6.4/10   

Director:

Claude Berri

Writers:

Claude Berri (writer)
Christian Oster (book)

Release Date:

13 November 2002 (Belgium)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

Plot:

After his wife leaves him for another man, Jacques hires a housekeeper, Laura, to keep his Paris apartment in order...

Plot Keywords:

Housekeeper | Paris | Beach Volleyball | Chicken | Housemaid

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Jean-Pierre Bacri	...	Jacques
Émilie Dequenne	...	Laura
Brigitte Catillon	...	Claire
Jacques Frantz	...	Ralph
Axelle Abbadie	...	Helene
Catherine Breillat	...	Constance
Apollinaire Louis-Philippe Dogue	...	Ernest, le barman
Amalric Gérard	...	Julien
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Nathalie Boutefeu	...	Jeune fille au concert
Laurence Colussi	...	Femme à la terrasse
Djura	...	Chanteuse
Daniel Humair	...	Musicien
Xavier Maly	...	Assistant de Jacques
Pierre Michelot	...	Musicien
Abel Nahmias	...	Le voisin
René Urtreger	...	Musicien

Also Known As:

A Housekeeper (International: English title)
The Housekeeper (USA) (review title)

MPAA:

Rated R for some sexuality/nudity and brief language.

Runtime:

91 min

Country:

France

Language:

French

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | DTS

Certification:

Australia:M | France:U | Switzerland:12 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:12 (canton of Vaud) | USA:R

Company:

Canal+

Goofs:

Continuity: At the end of the film, goes for a swim. When she returns to the beach, she is wearing a completely different bathing suit.

Realistic depiction of a summer-winter love affair

Please, it's "aspirateur" not "respirateur". Having lived in France for many years I've seen similar situations develop countless times. I've also seen many Claude Berri films and he has got it down pat. It was pleasant to recognize the familiar Paris neighborhood scenes and to wax nostalgic over such familiar goings on. The two leads are most realistic and the supporting actors lend a tone of verité. All in all, a most realistic slice of life à la française. For anyone who has lived in Europe this film will be a pleasant reminder of the sophisticated approach and attitudes that the Europeans (especially the French)bring to situations such as the one depicted in this movie.