“Roman de Gare” an intrigue French Mystery-Romance

Published June 30th, 2008

If mystery writer Agatha Christie had been a romantic French filmmaker, she might have cooked up something like Claude Lelouch’s latest, “Roman de Gare.”

The title is a French expression for what we would call a “beach read,” i.e. light, entertaining, diverting fare.
Lelouch is best known for the 1966 Oscar winner “A Man and a Woman.” Lelouch is nothing if not a romantic.
One of his favorite actresses, beautiful Fanny Ardant, stars as famous novelist Judith Ralitzer. The rest of the cast is pretty much unknown in America, but noteworthy.

Dominique Pinon is a rather homely fellow, with a weak chin and a curiously smushed-in face. Nevertheless he is a star in France, where they don’t judge on physical beauty alone.

Cast opposite Pinon is a beautiful young actress named Audrey Dana. This is her first major film role, and for it she was nominated for a Caesar, the French equivalent of an Oscar.

Dana is Huguette, a twitchy, chain-smoking woman who is rudely dumped by her doctor-fiancé at a gas station at 3 a.m. Worse; the cad takes off in her car.

Silently observing the petit drama is a character played by Dominique Pinon. When he gallantly offers to give Huguette a ride we are suspicious of his intentions because there is a magic-trick-playing pedophile rapist on the loose from a recent prison break. There is also a married schoolteacher who has suddenly gone on the lam, leaving his wife and family.

There is a third possibility that maybe this guy is just a writer looking for ideas.

“Roman de Gare” is about the creative process, and how real-life incidents can inspire fiction. It is also a very unlikely love story with a unique, offbeat charm.