Mademoiselle Chambon (2009)

Here I am, making good on my promise to come back here every now and then to write a review on some movie I recently watched and enjoyed…or not! And since there’s a real special place in my heart for French films I decided to come here and write a little bit about this quiet, simple movie called “Mademoiselle Chambon”.

Mademoiselle Chambon – ★★★★

I had read a real good review for it on the newspaper, which I (almost) never trust, and heard a good friend of mine saying it was just ok. Not as brilliant as the critic said it was. I had almost completely forgotten about the movie when another friend – one that loves sensitive intimate movies – told me it was amazing and that it was “my kind of film”. So of course I immediately called two of my best friends and asked if they wanted to go to the show with me (it was only showing in the creepiest mall ever! I needed company – don’t judge me) and thankfully they said yes.

I fell in love with the movie from the start. Stéphane Brizé sets the perfect pace for the adaptation of Eric Holder’s novel, which centers around Vincent Lindon’s character Jean, who falls in love with his kids’ teacher, the Mademoiselle Chambon from the title (portrayed by Sandrine Kiberlain – rightly nominated for the César Awards in the Best Actress category). The problem is Jean is still married and loves his family, but sometimes it is impossible to deny that a connection has been made and those characters are drawn to each other no matter how much they wish they could just move on with their lives. And that’s where the movie succeeds the most, in my opinion. In showing that struggle they both go through trying not do the “wrong” thing, and here we get into another debate, which I’ll leave you to it.

One thing that really surprised me, and I only realized that fact after I got home and went to research the movie on Imdb, is that Lindon and Kiberlain were married in real life for 9 years or something like that, and have a kid together. But the catch is: they did the movie after their separation! And there’s no way of ruling that out once you see their performances in this movie. It is so intense and emotional, I’m sure their previous relationship played a part in this amazing chemistry.

I really recommend this movie. I went to the Show knowing I would watch something good, and it exceeded my expectations, and I have to admit I just l-o-v-e it when that happens (not often enough, unfortunately).