Full Moon in Paris [DVD] [1984] [US Import]

Pascale "Louise" Ogier is living with Tchéky "Rémi" Karyo in the suburbs of Paris. She likes to pass her spare time with her ancient friends while Rémi stays at home. So, in order to save their relationship, she decides to sleep every friday night in a flat in Paris, alone. FULL MOON IN PARIS describes the consequences of this decision during the three months that follow.

Like in the plays of Musset or Marivaux, tragedy is always hidden behind comedy and Pascale Ogier's smiles and tears form a wonderful rainbow.

As always in Fox Lorber presentations of european movies, subtitles can't be removed and sound & images are of VHS quality, no more.

A DVD for your library.

All of the actors in this film give exceptionally commendable performances! Having said that, however, I must say that, quite truly, this movie really belongs to the lovely French actress, Pascale Ogier, who portrayed the character "Louise". I only hope and pray, that she won an award for best actress, as a result of her stellar performance, in this brilliantly glorious film.

I was quite saddened to learn, however, that Ms. Ogier, quite tragically, died of a heart attack in 1984, which was the same year "Full Moon in Paris" was released. She was only 24 years old.

Thus, in very many ways, this movie is made all that very much more significant, for it is a final tribute to Pascale Ogier, whose shining light was cast into darkness, far too soon.

Goodbye, Pascale. You were one of France's true gems. You shall forever be lovingly remembered, as the sparkling star of "Full Moon in Paris", whose exceptionally promising film career tragically ended, before it barely had a chance, to begin.

In fact, this is the only Rohmer movie out of half a dozen I've viewed where a couple clearly and emphatically makes the transition to a mature, happy and probably lifelong relationship. But it is mostly done off camera.

A couple of other tiny points: The married writer who pursues Louise is probably Rohmer's alter ego in the film, and Louise probably represents his neurotic early films that typically don't go anywhere. The movie also seems to have some message about the project-like surburbs with their cold metal facilities, vs. the warm hubub of Paris. In other Rohmer movies, Parisians retreat to georgeous country homes with gardens, or seaside villas, but pointedly not in this movie.

If you have known people like the characters in the film, who say they want to be alone but compulsively hang out with whoever is available, becoming distracted from their true goals; if you like irony and don't need everything spelled out, and like to think about movies, you will enjoy this one. If you just want a light romantic comedy, watch an American film.