Myron Clemons
A film of deceptively outspoken contemporary relevance, this is cinema at its most alert, alarming and alive.
jack_94706
This film qualifies as a "laugh riot." It's not quite a "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad World" kind of comedy, but full of great comic twists and turns, all centering on an anthropological discovery -- the first French fossil woman (who looks much as drawings show the famous Leakey fossil woman/hominid "Lucy" in Africa). Dr. Ruth Westheimer plays the American expert that Depardieu's character seeks out to legitimize his claims about the new fossil. Sigourney Weaver plays a poor American tourist who mistakenly gets wrapped up in the plot while seeking to escape a former lover/stalker. A fair number of scenes, all of those with Westheimer, and quite a few of Sigourney's (although she speaks French in the film, too, with an appropriately American accent) are in English. Weaver's best line, however, is in French and you'll especially enjoy it if you know the language -- just in terms of immediate impact. I refuse to give it away here, either in terms of plot or the words themselves -- but you won't have to wait long to hear it, once her character enters. Enough said. Did I mention that Depardieu turns in another first-rate starring role? -- it goes without saying. This time he plays a good-guy; his villain-roles also rate quite highly with me. Whatever he's in, even the poorly-received "Christopher Columbus" -- he makes memorable. I wouldn't recommend the "Mon Oncle" film, however, that's my one exception. It's not that he's bad in it -- it's just such a dour, dull role -- and a small part, too. But that's for another review. If you love Sigourney Weaver, men -- and to borrow a phrase, what's not to like? -- you'll want to put this film near the top of your "Must See" film list. She's at her sexiest here. It's light fare, but what's wrong with that?
