RUSSIAN DOLLS

France, 2005, 125 minutes, Colour.
Romain Duris, Audrey Tautou, Kelly Reilly, Kevin Bishop, Cecile de France.
Directed by Cedric Klapisch.

Some years ago, Cedric Klapisch directed a cheerful film about a group of university students from all over Europe studying in Barcelona, L’Auberge? Espagnol. A mixed bunch, some of them and their problems were interesting, others were irritating. The focus was on Xavier, played by Romain Duris, and Martine, played by Audrey Tautou.

It seems that many audiences and the director wanted to know what happened to them afterwards. So, watch Russian Dolls and you will find out.

Once again, Xavier is the centre of the film. He does a lot of introductory explanation (which is interrupted by flashbacks) so that we get up to date. A collage of interviews shows that he is a hack writer, a ghost writer and has high hopes of publishing a novel as well as telemovie script. Martine and Xavier have broken up but she still regards him as her best friend, who can also mind her son when she is away.

William the Englishman (Kevin Bishop) has fallen in love with a Russian ballerina, has learnt Russian and is going to Moscow to marry her. All the friends have been invited. By coincidence, Xavier has to adapt his telemovie for the BBC and, of all writers, he is paired with William’s sister (Kelly Reilly).

There are many other complications – so, if you want to find out, the only thing is to see the film. But, there is a hint in one of the English titles for ‘L’Auberge Espagnol’. It was ‘Euro Pudding’. And that is what this one is as well, a cinema pudding, French style.