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 BAFTA Film Award. 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

Referenced in Parole de cinéaste: Patrice Leconte dans la cour des grands (2015)

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Soundtracks

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

User Reviews

Great acting, wonderful dialogues and beautiful cinematography

A 'quirky' story from a director who likes to keep the viewer guessing - as in the wonderful 'Hairdresser's Husband'.The dialogues are wonderful in this movie, far wittier than the semi-silly 'Ridicule'; Although the subtitles are not perfect (which they rarely are, it's a very tough craft), they were difficult to read on top of that, at least in the film print I saw. But the storyline and the relationship in the movie more than carries it. Because of the occasional awkward subtitling, some of the lines might seem sillier than they are in the original French. The black & white cinematography is truly outstanding, beautiful & fitting. Daniel Auteuil shows more physical liveliness in this role than usual, and he's a true pleasure to watch; but the heart of this movie is truly Vanessa Paradis - an outstanding performance, full of charm & and pathos. The chemistry between the principles is enchanting. Leconte has completely succeeded in presenting a 'higher love' story.

Details

Official Sites:

Paramount Classics

Country:

France

Language:

Turkish 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