Paul and Michelle (1974)

The continuation of Friends (1971). The story begins three years after Paul Harrison is forced to leave Michelle Latour and their baby, Sylvie, alone in the Camargue after the police ... See full summary »

Director:

Lewis Gilbert

Writers:

Lewis Gilbert (story), Vernon Harris

Stars:

Anicée Alvina, Sean Bury, Keir Dullea

Cast

Credited cast:
Anicée Alvina	...	Michelle Latour
Sean Bury	...	Paul Harrison
Keir Dullea	...	Garry
Ronald Lewis	...	Sir Robert
Catherine Allégret	...	Joanna
Georges Beller	...	Daniel
Anne Lonnberg	...	Susannah
Sara Stout	...	Sylvie
Steve Gilbert	...	Nic
Anthony Clarke	...	Hush
Peggy Frankston	...	Lilli
Peter Graves	...	Sir Henry
Toby Robins	...	Jane
André Maranne	...	Bellancourt
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Jenny Arasse	...	Sister Mercier

Storyline

The continuation of Friends (1971). The story begins three years after Paul Harrison is forced to leave Michelle Latour and their baby, Sylvie, alone in the Camargue after the police finally locate his workplace. As a minor, the boy must be returned to his father and step-mother who live in Paris. Paul is sent to England to go to school. Upon completion of his graduation from prep school with honors ("all the prizes"), Paul begins to search for Michelle, learning from her cousin that Michelle had to take refuge in a nunnery. Paul visits with one of the nuns there, Sister Mercier, and quickly finds out that Michelle was placed in a Pâtisserie owned by Monsieur Bellancourt in Nice where Paul subsequently discovers she lived and worked for about six months... then one day, Michelle suddenly walked out. Advised by a fellow employee who has seen Michelle in the market place the week before, Paul learns that Michelle is still in Nice. After a series of near-misses, Paul eventually finds ...

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Plot Keywords:

topless female nudity | female nudity | sequel | character name in title | 

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Taglines:

Their love story was so unique it inspired two motion pictures, "Friends" in 1971. And now "Paul and Michelle."

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

France UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

May 1974 (USA)

Also Known As:

Paul e Michelle

Filming Locations:

Studio de Billancourt, Paris, France

Company Credits

Production Co:

Lewis Gilbert Productions

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Last feature film of Ronald Lewis.

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Quotes

[Paul and Michelle search high and low through the nighttime streets of Paris for Sylvie who has wandered off. Michelle has all but given up hope when she spots Sylvie who is then almost hit by a car. The next day, Paul and Michelle are sitting on a park bench. They must face reality]
Michelle Latour: But you want to go on, get your degree, don't you?
Paul Harrison: Yes, of course I do...
Michelle Latour: Then there is only one thing to do. Sylvie and I must go.
Paul Harrison: Go! But you can't do that. I mean you belong here, you and Sylvie with me.
Michelle Latour: It's ...
[...]

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Connections

Follows Friends (1971)

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Soundtracks

Paul And Michelle
Music by Michel Colombier
Lyrics by Don Black
Sung by Russell Stone

User Reviews

Very Good for a Sequel

"Paul and Michelle" begins three years after the title characters ended the story of "Friends." Although it is not as good as the original, the film comes together very well. In "Friends," a teen romantic classic, the British Paul and French Michelle ran away and lived together in a secluded romantic dream. In "Paul and Michelle," the couple must face the hardships and boredom of everyday life. They soon learn the responsibility of working for a living and bringing up the child they had in "Friends."

In the beginning, Michelle and daughter Sylvie, who was born in "Friends," are living with Gary, a young American businessman in a French coastal town. The three have an almost normal family life in which Sylvie has bonded with Gary.

Paul, now a college student, abandons academic life to search for Michelle. When he arrives in town, there is a very funny sequence when Paul keeps searching every street and shop for Michelle, and just keeps missing her every time. At last the two literally bump into each other on the street and embrace in a joyful reunion. The very gracious Gary, always knowing that Paul is the true love of Michelle's life, leaves to let Paul move into the apartment.

The main plot of the story is Paul and Michelle's brutal discovery that it is tough to make their romantic love work in the everyday world. Having been raised with wealth, Paul finds the life of a working man difficult as he takes a job as a meatcutter to support his family. Paul and Michelle work jobs in different shifts and take turns watching Sylvie. Their jobs tire them out and raising an active three-year old wears the romance very thin. Paul finds it very hard to bond with his long-lost daughter. Even though she calls him "Daddy," it is a long time until she loves him as much as she loved Gary. The director highlights these realities by inserting a number of flashbacks of "Friends" to contrast with their new life.

Paul misses his exciting student life. There is one anachronistic scene where Paul participates in a poor excuse for a 1960's style student riot that is broken up by the police. In a much more dramatic incident, Paul goes out to a bistro with a young woman friend, leaving Sylvie alone in the apartment. As you might guess, it isn't long before the active tyke gets out. When Michelle returns from work to find her daughter gone, and sees Paul outside with this woman, she nearly panics. Paul and Michelle have to chase all over town to rescue their daughter. Michelle is quite angry.

I can relate to this story more today than I did in 1974, now that I'm older, married with children, and have been working for a living for many years. "Paul and Michelle" is not the dreamy classic you saw in "Friends," but the movie will entertain you as it portrays the strains of growing up and trying to keep romance alive in the real world.