Russian Dolls (2005)

Five years after their summer together in Barcelona, Xavier, William, Wendy, Martine and Isabelle reunite.

Director:

Cédric Klapisch

Writer:

Cédric Klapisch

Stars:

Romain Duris, Kelly Reilly, Audrey Tautou

1 win & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Romain Duris	...	Xavier Rousseau
Kelly Reilly	...	Wendy
Audrey Tautou	...	Martine
Cécile de France	...	Isabelle (as Cécile De France)
Kevin Bishop	...	William
Evguenya Obraztsova	...	Natacha
Irene Montalà	...	Neus
Gary Love	...	Edward
Lucy Gordon	...	Celia Shelburn
Aïssa Maïga	...	Kassia
Martine Demaret	...	Mère Xavier
Pierre Cassignard	...	Platane
Olivier Saladin	...	Gérard
Pierre Gérald	...	Grand-père
Zinedine Soualem	...	M. Boubaker

Storyline

Xavier is now thirty. No longer a student, he is not yet a well-balanced, fulfilled adult either. His career is unsatisfying: Far from being the renowned novelist he aimed to be he must be content with little jobs such as reporter or ghost writer. His greatest "achievement" in "literature" is his collaboration to the script of a corny TV soap! His sentimental life is not much better, rhythmed by one night stands and unfinished romances. It looks as if when he seduces a woman beautiful outside and inside such as Kassia or Wendy he can't keep them. Will he ever bring his life into focus?

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

The director never planned on bringing Judith Godrèche back for this sequel.

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Goofs

In the stylized sequence in which Xavier imagines he is following Célia in the "Street with Perfect Proportions," the shadows don't match: The shots on Celia show almost no shadows, but in shots on Xavier, the street is almost completely in shadows.

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Quotes

Wendy: [watching Natacha dance] Now which one...?
William: That one there. Look.
Wendy: The one on the end?
William: No. Look. Right... Second from the left.
Xavier: The blonde one?
Wendy: But they're all blonde!
William: That one! See, look. Second from the left. That one.
Xavier: Right. Yeah. Ok. I see her.
Wendy: They all look the same.
William: No, they don't. She's a great dancer.
[...]

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Crazy Credits

In the opening credits, each main character is portrayed with both a scene from the current movie and from the original one, 'L'Auberge Espagnole (2003)'.

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Connections

References The Maltese Falcon (1941)

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Soundtracks

Bitches on the Ground
Performed by Spleen
Written by Pascal Oyong-Oly

User Reviews

a befitting continuation of the l'auberge espagnole legacy

I like this movie quite a bit. I think the movie has succeeded in depicting the life, the love that intertwines with it, the things that make us different, and those that transcend our cultural and personal differences.

When I first saw L'auberge espagnole, I was embarking on an education journey that would span two continents in the cohort of people from all around the world. L'auberge espagnole was a great prequel to my experience.

In this sequel named "Les Poupées Russes", I find myself again firmly planted in the midst of the characters. In his thirties, Xavier and others' confused relationships reflect a bewilderment in that age group, as some choose to settle down, and some continue to seek the ephemeral.

As for national boundaries, it is interesting that the story now depicts a different set of frontiers for Europe (before the recent constitutional crisis), the UK and Russia. The countries are very different but the people are very similar if you let look beneath the surface. Everyone is looking for a better life with love and happiness.

Ultimately, what makes it all work is what William has done in the movie. We need to make an effort, whether in life or in love, to rise above the walls separating us, perceived or real.

As for the individual characters, Wendy has indeed become quite a fox. If I were Xaiver, I am not sure I would be that interested in Celia. Your mileage may vary, of course. :) Cheers, and enjoy the movie.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [France] Official site [United States]

Country:

France UK

Language:

French Russian English Spanish Italian

Release Date:

15 June 2005 (France)

Also Known As:

Russian Dolls

Filming Locations:

Chalcot Road, Primrose Hill, London, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$12,500,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$16,512, 14 May 2006

Gross USA:

$326,095

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$23,727,301

Company Credits

Production Co:

Lunar Films, StudioCanal, France 2 (FR2)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

125 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1