PATRICE LECONTE
Bil’s rating (out of 5): BBBB.5.
Original title: La Fille Sur Le Pont
France, 1999. Canal+, France 2 Cinéma, Les Films Christian Fechner, Sofica Sofinergie 5, UGCF. Screenplay and dialogue by Serge Frydman. Cinematography by Jean-Marie Dreujou. Produced by Christian Fechner. Music by Didier Lize. Production Design by Ivan Maussion. Costume Design by Annie Perier. Film Editing by Joelle Hache. Golden Globe Awards 1999. Las Vegas Film Critics Awards 2000. National Board of Review Awards 2000.
A deliciously capricious little bit of whimsy from Patrice Leconte. Shot gorgeously in black and white, the film tells the story of a professional knife thrower and a suicidal nymphomaniac whose personalities seem so perfect for each other that, until they find themselves together, their luck is never good. Once paired up they are earning loads of money, travelling easily and performing every spectacular knife throw with relative ease. Vanessa Paradis and Daniel Auteuil are both perfectly cast in their roles, and the little touches of magic sprinkled over the story are used at just the right times to provide touches of delicate brilliance.
