Mississippi Mermaid (1969)

A wealthy plantation owner is captivated by a mysterious woman with a shady past.

Director:

François Truffaut

Writers:

Cornell Woolrich (based on the novel by) (as William Irish), François Truffaut (adaptation)

Stars:

Catherine Deneuve, Jean-Paul Belmondo, Nelly Borgeaud

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Jean-Paul Belmondo	...	Louis Mahé
Catherine Deneuve	...	Julie Roussel / Marion Vergano
Nelly Borgeaud	...	Berthe
Martine Ferrière	...	Landlady
Marcel Berbert	...	Jardine
Yves Drouhet	...	Detective
Michel Bouquet	...	Comolli
Roland Thénot	...	Richard

Storyline

Louis Mahe is a tobacco planter at Reunion Island. He is waiting for Julie Roussel to marry him. He only knows her by mail. The woman that comes does not like the picture he got, but he marries her anyway. Soon, she flees with Louis' money. She was not the real Julie Roussel but Marion. Louis tries to find her... Another Truffaut's film about passion.

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Plot Keywords:

self destructiveness | literature on screen | american literature on screen | 20th century literature on screen | crime literature on screen | 

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Taglines:

The Bride Came as Advertised...With an Unadvertised Special

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some nudity/sexuality

Did You Know?

Trivia

The original French title is spelled "La Sirène du Mississipi" (one P) in some sources, and "La Sirène du Mississippi" (two Ps) in other sources.

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Goofs

When the disc Marion has recorded is run over in the street and shattered, she kneels to retrieve the pieces; at first her right knee is uppermost, but then suddenly her left knee is higher, as she stands.

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Quotes

Julie Roussel: [Having doubts, after Louis has hidden money in their apartment] Do you think the maid looks honest?
Louis Mahé: You see evil everywhere.
Julie Roussel: I don't see evil everywhere. It *is* everywhere.

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Alternate Versions

SPOILERS: In some versions of this film, the image of the comic strip in the newspaper that makes Belmondo's character realize his wife has been poisoning him has been removed. The probable reason is that the whole idea is a bit naive and absurd, although without this image it is impossible to explain how the man finds out that he has been poisoned. (As the comic strip in question involves Disney-related art of Snow White being offered the poisoned apple by the Witch, the removal of the cartoon in some versions is more likely due to issues involving Disney's copyright.)

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Connections

Version of Kamen no hanayome - Kurayami e no waltz (1981)

User Reviews

criminally underrated gem

This is one of the best films I've seen in the last years.Belmonndo and Deneuve shine in their respective roles, he as a naive plantation owner and she as an enigmatic trickster.Words won't do this masterpiece justice,suffice it to say that this is a movie that explores the darker side of love and the pain,humiliation and capacity for self-delusion that go with it, although it's dressed as a film noir. Forget that feeble remake with Jolie and Banderas, see the genuine artticle instead and treat yourselves to some moments of great cinematic beauty.

Details

Country:

France Italy

Language:

French

Release Date:

18 June 1969 (France)

Also Known As:

Mississippi Mermaid

Filming Locations:

Sainte-Anne church, Sainte Anne, La Réunion, France

Box Office

Budget:

$1,600,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$11,206, 25 April 1999

Gross USA:

$33,725

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$33,725

Company Credits

Production Co:

Les Films du Carrosse, Les Productions Artistes Associés, Produzioni Associate Delphos

Technical Specs

Runtime:

123 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1