Une femme à sa fenêtre (1976) User Reviews

A certain tradition of quality

[bob998 · 7/10 · 27 September 2023]

It's passed into legend: how the young Turks of French cinema--Truffaut, Chabrol, Godard and the others--wanted to sweep away the dusty relics of the previous generation, the so-called well made films. What's less known is how those young Turks went on to make some of the stuffiest movies of the late 60's and 70's: I'm thinking of Resnais's Stavisky, Chabrol's Juste avant la nuit and La decade prodigieuse, Truffaut's Dernier Metro. The art decoration and costumes are impeccable; the stories often leave you falling asleep. Pierre Granier-Deferre is the same age as the men I've mentioned, but never gave in to the urge to experiment. As a result he never fell into total boredom, just as he never excites us.

Drieu la Rochelle killed himself in 1945 before he could be charged with collaborating with the Germans, so he's always been a little daring for film directors. Louis Malle, who would take on any project, made a great film out of Le feu follet. Granier-Deferre is careful not to upset the sensibilities of those who remember the war, and the horrors of collaboration. I'm sure he makes Boutros out to be a more sympathetic character than he is in the novel. Victor Lanoux plays him with a lot of charm, making him a great foil for Romy Schneider who is at the peak of her glory here. Philippe Noiret gives excellent support as the rich man who wants to support Romy. It's a shame the direction is so stodgy; the camera hardly moves in those overdecorated rooms.

a truly great film

[Richard Hobby · 10/10 · 22 April 2013]

I am stimulated to write this review because the review of May 16, 2012, expresses opinions exactly opposite to mine. A Woman at Her Window is I believe one of the greatest films of all time.

Boring? Hardly. The script is quite brilliant and allows the radical Boutros (Victor Lanoux) to have great verbal political skirmishes with Raoul Malfosse (Philippe Noiret) that are very engaging. Romy Schneider plays Margot and she has never been more beautiful. She is married to Rico, Italian diplomat, who has somehow lost interest in her. But with great charm and courage he protects both his wife and Boutros.

The passionate love affair is heartfelt and completely believable. At the same time Margot is not insensitive and her final scene with Rico is very moving.

The complaint that the political side is skimmed over seems misplaced here. The political issues raised in Greece in 1936 under Metaxas set in motion the meeting of Margot and Boutros but this is not primarily a film about politics. Rather it is about complex fascinating characters at the upper levels of society, one of whom---Margot---experiences deep intense love as she has never felt before. To complain that we do not see much of the victims of Metaxas misses the point of the story that is being told. Yes Costa-Gavras pushed politics---but at the expense of drama. Pierre Granier-Deferre is the superior director precisely because he focuses on the human heart--real drama.

This film is brilliant and deeply moving and I strongly recommend it.

beautiful

[Kirpianuscus · 3 September 2022]

All seems beautiful in the case of this film - from intentions to cast, from Greek locations to the rooms. Not so inspired is the result.

A non-lineary story, romance and politics, historical/ literary references, Romy Schneider in her late shining , Philippe Noiret and, for both , the memory of Le Vieux Fusil , Victor Lanoux in the role of revolutionary and lover and the bizarre rhytmus of story, strange use of this promissing pieces of a great adaptation.

It seems no direction about this too good intentionned movie. And this sin defines, unfortunately, it. An air of fatigue seems define the film , each character seeming reduced at himself and the dialogue of Jorge Semprun seeming only a shield against time and the other.

The power of love

[jbgeorges · 9/10 · 30 November 2020]

This film is a real masterpiece! But to really appreciate it you have to know the meaning of the words beauty, finesse and elegance... This is not a political film, the context of Greece in the thirties is only a backdrop, the real issue is elsewhere . So forget any comparison with Costa Gavras. The movie describes with great finesse the sad existence of a rich and neglected woman who searches for meaning in her life and finds it by falling desperately in love with a communist activist that everything opposes to her aristocratic and hushed world. Victor Lanoux is very convincing in this character endowed with an almost animal virile strength. And Romy Schneider and very moving, as always, in her interpretation of a fragile and desperate woman, that love feelings will make strong and full of hope. Her husband Rico is an Italian dandy, who continues to love and respect his wife in some way, but no longer feels up to her. Umberto Orsini offers a perfect and high class interpretation! Finally, let's not forget Philippe Noiret, who is also perfect as a boring aristocrat, in love with this flamboyant woman who will never belong to him. Fates shattered by history could cloud the end of this story. And yet love and life are stronger!.. A girl will be born from this intense love union and 30 later she returns with emotion to the place where her parents first met, the hotel room of the Acropolis in Athens. This movie must touch you right in the heart. I highly recommend this very beautiful and touching film! And I even didn't speak about the magnificient images shot in Greece, particularly in Delphes..

From a window

[dbdumonteil · 16 May 2012]

This movie promised great things:Philippe Noiret,Victor Lanoux and Umberto Orsini as the three male principals ,and Romy Schneider,as beautiful as ever ,now in the late part of her career;plus the magnificent Greek landscapes;plus a love affair between a communist (Lanoux)and a diplomat's wife ;plus politics;plus a non-linear plot.

But ,for all that, the movie is boring,and if it weren't for the cast,you'd often feel like giving up;politics ,yes,military dictatorship,but most of the time,it stays theoretical ,although Noiret calls Greek mythology to the rescue (Oedipus and Antigone),the characters remain hollow and the passionate love story lacks focus ,intensity and passion ;as for the political side ,it is only skimmed over ,Granier-Deferre being not Costa -Gavras for that matter.

The characters move in a world of luxury and the only pictures of the victims of the dictators are those the lady sees from the window ....of her car as she passes through a wasted land in the hands of the soldiers.

generous promise

[Vincentiu · 13 May 2013]

basis of question - is it enough to have a good cast for to do a nice film ? in this case, the answer is not easy. and the fundamental error is the full of good intentions basket. a large puzzle. a lot of problems each only in drawing form. so, in final, a poor verdict - one of last roles for Romy Schneider. remembrance for her admirers. and regret about good ingredients in a confuse work. it is in middle of ways. it is not a love story, not a credible one. it is not a politic story because it remains only sketch not very inspired. it is not about Greece past because the details are only small clues. it is not support for philosophical speeches because this aspect is always fake. it is a promise. is it enough ? maybe, not exactly.