UN COEUR EN HIVER
A film review by Mark R. Leeper
Copyright 1993 Mark R. Leeper
Capsule review: This is just about the best film I
could think of about a love triangle. Most of the film
revolves around the personality of one of the main
characters, which is only gradually revealed in the film, so
I will refrain from discussing it. This is a thoughtful,
intelligent film and one of the best I have seen this year.
Rating: low +3 (-4 to +4).
For many years Stephan (played by Daniel Auteuil) and Maxim (played by Andre Dussolier) have been partners in a violin repair business in Paris. Where Maxim is handsome and affable, Stephan is introspective and introverted. In the years of their partnership Maxim has been married and divorced and has dated many women. Stephan has little life outside of the repair business. He is a genius in building and repairing violins. He has one friend, a woman, in whom he confides, but their relationship is purely platonic. Maxim's latest girlfriend is Camille, a brilliant and beautiful violinist (played by Emmanuelle Beart) who takes an instant dislike to the blunt Stephan, but when it is clear that Stephan appreciates Camille's music, Camille becomes interested in the odd loner. The stage is set for a tragic love story.
UN COEUR EN HIVER revolves around about Stephan's unusual personality, which is revealed only gradually through the film. Suffice it to say this is a much more touching and engaging film than could be expected from the above description. Stephan is a personality type rarely seen in film, yet not nearly so rare in real life. I went into this film expecting a fatuous love story and came out with a film that will almost definitely be on my top ten list of the year. Stephan's personality, what it does to him, and how others use it and react to it make this a thoughtful and intelligent addition to the films of this year. UN COEUR EN HIVER was directed by Claude Sautet from a screenplay he co-authored with Jacques Fieschi. Scenes of Emmanuelle Beart playing Ravel (beautifully orchestrated by Philippe Sarde) have a pristine beauty that is as sexy as anything you will find in any American film this year. I give it a low +3 on the -4 to +4 scale.
Mark R. Leeper
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