by Ryan Lewellen
In 60s Paris (where else?), Jean Seberg plays an American girl (who else?) who aspires to be a great painter. Those aspirations are routinely derailed by semi-romantic encounters with men as she comes of age. Her first encounter is so “romantic”, it basically forces that whole painting thing into the world of afterthought, and In The French Style becomes something of an incomplete exploration of the way love and other pursuits mature as we grow up.
Seberg is working hard in this film. She is endlessly delivering slight glances and small gestures, desperate to give something to this barely-written character. Try as she might, her co-stars are more successful in coming to life around her, but only the young Marshalltown, IA native breathes anything we might recognize as genuine into the film. Nothing in the film really works, however.
Written from two of his own short stories, Irwin Shaw’s screenplay feels like a serial with no real perspective or through line. There is, admittedly something of a running theme of growing out of loves (painting vs. a boy, a boy vs. another). Like its fickle central character the film can’t seem to focus on anything long enough to really get to know it, and in spite of a handful of intense or humorous performances from the rest of the cast, most of French Style is surprisingly dull and empty.
Even in scenes where something truly interesting is being explored, like our heroine’s first, and rather awkward, sexual encounter, something just isn’t working. A revelation in that scene which should shock us barely makes an impact. I would say this movie bounced off me, but that would give you the impression it was moving with enough energy to repel. Everything in this movie just sort of… happens, and none of it is rendered in such a way as to intrigue.
Honorable mentions are due for the always-great cinematographer, Michel Kelber, who has a lovely time shooting around Paris in deep focus. Also, the subtle aging done on Ms. Seberg is quite impressive. At age 24, she passes for 19 just as easily as she does for 30, with the aid of some hair extensions and some well-placed make-up.
If only so much care had been applied to the writing, there might have been some interesting observations here.
THE PACKAGE
Julie Kirgo’s insights are shared, as usual, eloquently in a booklet insert, as well as in a fascinating audio commentary, flanked by Nick Redman and Lem Dobbs.
Twilight Time’s Blu-ray release also includes the isolated score feature and the original theatrical trailer.
