Auntie Danielle (1990)

Auntie Danielle, supposedly in ailing health but in reality just a nasty old bitch, lives with a paid housekeeper who she regularly abuses. When the housekeeper dies falling off a ladder, ... See full summary »

Director:

Étienne Chatiliez

Writers:

Florence Quentin (scenario and dialogue), Florence Quentin (adaptation)

Stars:

Tsilla Chelton, Catherine Jacob, Isabelle Nanty

3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Tsilla Chelton	...	Tatie Danielle
Catherine Jacob	...	Catherine Billard
Isabelle Nanty	...	Sandrine Vonnier
Neige Dolsky	...	Odile
Eric Prat	...	Jean-Pierre Billard
Laurence Février	...	Jeanne Billard
Virginie Pradal	...	Madame Lafosse
Mathieu Foulon	...	Jean-Marie Billard
Gary Ledoux	...	Totoff Billard
André Wilms	...	Dr. Wilms
Patrick Bouchitey	...	Beggar
Christine Pignet	...	Cab driver
Evelyne Didi	...	Woman in bus
Isabelle Petit-Jacques	...	A passer-by
Karin Viard	...	Agathe (as Karine Viard)

Storyline

Auntie Danielle, supposedly in ailing health but in reality just a nasty old bitch, lives with a paid housekeeper who she regularly abuses. When the housekeeper dies falling off a ladder, Danielle moves in with her great-nephew and his family. She continues using her nastiness to manipulate everyone into doing things her way until the family goes on vacation to Greece. The young housekeeper they hire to watch after her knows what Auntie is doing, and deals with her accordingly, and they begin forming respect for each other.

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Plot Keywords:

character name as title | two word title | tatie danielle character | greece | grande dame guignol | 

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Taglines:

Tatie Danielle is a spoiled old lady who has become expert, after long years of study, at the art of imposing on other people.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Certificate:

PG-13

Did You Know?

Trivia

First nominations to the César Award for Tsilla Chelton and Isabelle Nanty, while Catherine Jacob received her second nomination. She won the Cesar Award for Most Promising Actress the previous year for her work in Life Is a Long Quiet River (1988).

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Connections

Referenced in Oh, Woe Is Me (1993)

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Soundtracks

La Complainte de la vieille salope"
Lyrics by Florence Quentin and Catherine Ringer
Music by Gabriel Yared
Performed by Catherine Ringer

User Reviews

"Little Devil" trapped in body of old lady -- Ultra-Dark Comedy!

A film like "Tatie Danielle" is a welcome departure from the formula comedy-dramas out there focusing on the elderly members of our society. We're not dealing with another "Who will take care of Grandma" story, but are confronted with a real problem: This old lady is NOT the dear little Granny we know from story books. She isn't the type anyone would hate to ship off to a nursing home. She's the devil in disguise of a sweet old woman, who manipulates people around her to cause general unpleasantness.

In frequent moments of talking to herself (or rather her long-departed husband), Tatie Danielle fills us in on the "big picture". Apparently this woman has never worked or cared for herself. The widow of a high ranking military officer, living comfortably on a handsome pension, the old woman makes it her mission to terrorize anyone she encounters. The scene where a dear friend of many years dies because of Danielle's unreasonable demands to perform ridiculous cleaning chores shows the utter lack of compassion this woman has. Later she is party to abandoning an old family dog, more evidence of the cruelty within her.

Despite the roller-coaster ride of mean and spiteful behavior from an ungrateful, chronic malcontent, this film has many reflective moments, as well as a lot of good laughs. If you're put off by "Auntie Danielle's" mean cruelties, stick it out, because there is a big pay-off in the end, as well as a captivating story leading there. Not for everyone's taste, but certainly an excellent piece of International Cinema! The English subtitles are very efficient, giving just enough of the original French dialog to "translate" the meaning. Poor subtitles can spoil a foreign film, but an excellent job was done here!

Details

Country:

France

Language:

English French

Release Date:

17 May 1991 (USA)

Also Known As:

Auntie Danielle

Filming Locations:

Avenue Wilson, Château-Thierry, Aisne, France

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$20,730, 19 May 1991

Gross USA:

$604,624

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$604,624

Company Credits

Production Co:

Téléma, FR3 Films Production, Les Productions du Champ Poirier

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1