The Girl on the Bridge (1999)

One night, a fading entertainer intervenes when a woman contemplates suicide, beginning a strange, unpredictable relationship.

Director:

Patrice Leconte

Writers:

Serge Frydman (dialogue), Serge Frydman (screenplay)

Stars:

Vanessa Paradis, Daniel Auteuil, Frédéric Pfluger

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 6 wins & 17 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Vanessa Paradis	...	Adèle
Daniel Auteuil	...	Gabor
Frédéric Pfluger	...	Contortionist
Dimitris Georgalas	...	Takis (as Demetre Georgalas)
Catherine Lascault	...	Irene
Isabelle Petit-Jacques	...	Bride
Mireille Mossé	...	Miss Memory
Didier Lemoine	...	TGV Ticket Conductor
Bertie Cortez	...	Kusak
Stéphane Metzger	...	Italian Waiter
Claude Aufaure	...	Suicide Victim
Farouk Bermouga	...	TGV Waiter
Nicolas Donato	...	Mr. Loyal
Enzo Etokyo	...	Italian Megaphone
Giorgios Gatzios	...	Barker

Storyline

It's night on a Paris bridge. A girl leans over Seine River with tears in her eyes and a violent yearning to drown her sorrows. Out of nowhere someone takes an interest in her. He is Gabor, a knife thrower who needs a human target for his show. The girl, Adele, has never been lucky and nowhere else to go. So she follows him. They travel along the northern bank of the Mediterranean to perform and in the process win a big fortune through gambling. Although both of them continue a platonic relationship, the sex-starved girl attempts to sleep with handsome guys she encounters throughout the journey. Finally, Adele falls in love with a newly-wed groom and both of them elope to Greece, while Gabor is stuck in Turkey. Then Adele is dumped by the groom. Only by now both Gabor and Adele realize that luck isn't with them unless they get together again. But both of them are so broke that they can't even feed themselves, let alone getting back to Paris and reunite...

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Plot Keywords:

seine | greece | tears | knife | love | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some sexuality

Did You Know?

Trivia

The opening sequence lasts for more than 7 minutes with a monologue by Vanessa Paradis. In the DVD commentary, director 'Patrice Leconte' says that a single shot was necessary using several cameras.

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Goofs

After the train has passed, Gabor steps off the rail, and again after the cut.

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Quotes

Adèle: Learn to lose, or you'll take wining for granted.

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Connections

Featured in MsMojo: Top 10 Movie Opening Scenes That Will Make You Cry (2020)

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Soundtracks

Who Will Take My Dreams Away?
Written by Angelo Badalamenti, Marianne Faithfull
Performed by Marianne Faithfull

User Reviews

An instant classic.

Girl on the Bridge is an absorbing piece of film fiction and, to my mind, an instant classic. From the choice of its stars to the use of a gritty, many shaded black to white spectrum, it is a spellbinding expression of director, Patrice Leconte's, mastery of the art of filmmaking. Every throw of the knife notches up the suspense to an ecstasy of fear on behalf of the characters you come to love. This is an unusual romance that leaves the viewer enlightened and lighthearted without any sacrifice of reality.

The Girl is portrayed by Vanessa Paradis, who, in her person and in her manner, invokes memories of both Brigitte Bardot and Audrey Hepburn, a radiant, sensuous mix that is haunting and captivating. There's rapturous innocence despite her frequent and intense sexual encounters, and some part of her remains pristine throughout the most seemingly perverse scenes. Seduction for her must be emotional and intellectual, not merely sexual, because her body is routinely given, and through her experiences, we realize its satisfactions do not ultimately satisfy.

Although some scenes recall other great pictures of yesteryear, such as The Seventh Veil, Girl makes new, inspired use of beloved film moments to make its own statement: the human spirit deepens and expands to the extent to which it trusts in, and is dedicated to, love. To love is to risk, and in this film of heart thumping suspense, we come face to face with the dangers love entails. Love, like this film, is not for the faint of heart. I, for one, am looking forward to my second time. Many compliments to Patrice Leconte and his wonderful collaborators!

Details

Official Sites:

Paramount Classics

Country:

France

Language:

French Italian Greek

Release Date:

31 March 1999 (France)

Also Known As:

Girl on the Bridge

Filming Locations:

Athens, Greece

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$66,567, 30 July 2000

Gross USA:

$1,708,496

Company Credits

Production Co:

Canal+, France 2 Cinéma, Les Films Christian Fechner

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1