Review of Mademoiselle Chambon (2009) by Lewis P — 27 Jan 2011

Turgid, predictable soaper from France holds few surprises.

*** This review may contain spoilers ***.

Another overrated French film comes down the pike! This time it's a.

Slow moving little soap opera called Mademoiselle Chambon. Because it's quiet and understated, some people might mistake that for something.

Profoundly emotional but in reality the characters are so paper thin,.

In the end we can't possibly care for them.

The protagonist is Jean, a construction worker played by Vincent.

Lindon. He falls for Mademoiselle Veronique Chambon, a short-term.

Contract schoolteacher played by Sandrine Kiberlain. Lindon and.

Kiberlain were married in real life but have subsequently separated.

The film begins quite slowly as we are introduced to Jean, his wife.

Anne-Marie and their son, Jeremy. Veronique is Jeremy's teacher and she.

Invites Jean to answer questions about his job before a class full of.

Inquisitive elementary school students. Veronique then has a paying job.

For Jean as one of her window shutters is broken, so Jean comes over to.

Fix it.

You would think that Jean and Veronique have a lot to talk about like.

Any normal people who are just getting to meet each other for the first.

Time. But not so here in 'Mademoiselle Chambon'. One problem is that.

Jean appears to be depressed over his soulless marriage, so that.

Prevents him from opening up. He does take an interest in her violin.

Playing and finally convinces her to play a tune. Veronique offers to.

Lend a bunch of CDs to Jean which feature the piece she has just played.

For him. Veronique also appears to be suffering from some kind of.

Malaise and we find out little about her except for the fact that she.

Usually only stays for a year or so before moving on to take other.

Teaching jobs, in different parts of France.

If Jean and Veronique seem a bit sketchy as characters, the supporting.

Players have even less to do. Anne-Marie has one significant scene.

Where she confronts Jean about being distant and there's also Jean's.

Elderly father, who makes a short trip with his son to check out some.

Caskets, anticipating his demise in a few years. As for Jeremy, his.

Parents are seen helping him with his homework at the beginning of the.

Film.

If the characters are paper thin, the plot of 'Mademoiselle Chambon' is.

No different. Basically we're waiting until Jean decides to bed.

Veronique. He hesitates and at first communicates that he's unable to.

Get physical because his wife has just informed him that she's pregnant.

With their second child. Veronique decides to give up her teaching job.

And go back to Paris after she concludes that Jean is tied up at home.

She accepts Jean's invitation to play the violin at his father's 80th.

Birthday party which is nice! But raging hormones cannot be contained.

And sure enough, the concupiscent couple ultimately hop in the sack.

Right before the film's climax.

In grand soap opera tradition, Veronique throws down the gauntlet and.

Tells Jean in substance, 'put up or shut up'. Jean does show up at the.

Train station (carrying a bag) and it appears he's about to join.

Veronique as she boards the train; but sure enough, Jean realizes he.

Has commitments at home and is unable to honor his promise to go to.

Paris with Veronique.

So ends the turgid 'Mademoiselle Chambon'. Don't get me wrong, it's a.

Thoroughly watchable film and the acting and cinematography are fine.

Nonetheless, nothing much happens; and when something does, it's.

Something we've seen a thousand times before.