Cesar Award-winning actress Romane Bohringer joins her father Richard Bohringer (THE COOK, THE THIEF, HIS WIFE AND HER LOVER) and Elena Safonova (DARK EYES) in this powerful story of betrayal in wartime France; while primarily a story of collaboration, it is also an allegorical tale that
could take place at any time, in any culture.
Gifted young pianist Sophie (Bohringer) and her mother endure grinding deprivation in German-occupied Paris. She auditions for classical vocalist Irene (Safonova), who is impressed with her talent and inner toughness, and hires the girl as her accompanist. Captivated by Irene's glamorous life,
Sophie rejects her mother, and acts as go-between for the singer and her lover, Resistance leader Fabert (Samuel Labarthe). After Irene's husband Charles (Richard Bohringer) insults a Nazi officer, the trio escapes to London. Fabert follows and he and Irene resume their romance, no longer using
Sophie's services; Sophie feels betrayed and becomes a jealous voyeur, with terrible consequences.
Director Claude Miller (THE LITTLE THIEF, GARDE A VUE) skillfully tells a story of seduction, pride, and betrayal, with the help of an outstanding cast. Miller has said he based Charles--as Bohringer seems to have based his performance--on the cuckolded Jewish aristocrat played by Marcel Dalio in
Renoir's RULES OF THE GAME. The younger Bohringer is frighteningly good as Sophie; she readily buys into the comfortable life Irene offers, but is never fulfilled, becoming instead more drawn and brittle. One of 1993's most absorbing and poignant dramas. leave a comment