DE PLUS BELLE/LADIES
France, 2017, 100 minutes, Colour.
Florence Foresti, Mathieu Kassovitz, Nicole Garcia, Jonathan Cohen, Olivia Bonamy, Josee Drevon, Jeanne Astier.
Directed by Anne- Gaelle Daval.
This is a film which was written and directed by Anne-Gaelle? Daval, a female perspective on the story of a middle-aged woman who has had cancer surgery, who is in recuperation, is having to face herself and the consequences of the cancer, gradually coming out of herself, but the possibility and then the reality of recurrence.
It is a film which women can immediately identify with. The male audience is invited to be sympathetic and observing and learning.
Florence Foresti is striking as Lucie, the middle-aged woman, looking forlorn, wearing her wigs, adrift in a nightclub, approached by a presentable man, Clovis, Mathiue Kassovitz. He enters into her life, offering her some affirmation while questioning her about her attitudes. On the other hand, while she is supported by her doctor, she has to deal with her sister but, more especially, her mother who is not particularly supportive. And she has a teenage daughter who has a will of her own.
The important character is played by Nicole Garcia, Dalila, who services women like Lucie with a range of wigs as well as advice on make up. She also has a group of women, different ages, different sizes, leading them in exercise and dance movements, getting them to affirm themselves that they are beautiful, preparing them for a performance, dance, striptease, getting the women to acknowledge themselves and their bodies.
While Lucie does come out of herself, she does now have some strength in order to face the recurrence of the cancer.
1. A film by women for a women’s audience? For older women?
2. The French city, homes, streets, hospitals, shops, the nightclub, the dance hall, the concert? The musical score, especially for the performance?
3. Lucie’s story, her age and appearance, the experience of cancer, her relationship with her daughter, her relationship with her mother, sister? Working at the cemetery, with the flowers, the shop? After cancer, her gaunt appearance, her wigs, self-consciousness? The visit to the doctor, the discussions, the possibility of recurrence? Her being urged to go out? At the club, people dancing, her self-consciousness? Clovis and his approach, her putting him off?
4. Lucie going into the shop, Dalila, the wigs, her friendship and concern, her advice, taking her upstairs, the class, the range of women, age, size, exercise, dance steps, Lucie remaining with the group, the rehearsals? The plan, dancing, the performance? Self-affirmation that they were beautiful? The plan for the concert, the striptease, the episodes of stripping, the two men joining the group? The women and their sense of freedom?
5. Lucie and Clovis, the encounters, his taking her to the old people’s home, his charm with them, care for them, the conversations, Lucie enjoying the experience? On the back of the motorbike, the helmet, her going to return the helmet, his being with the girl? His character, affirming people, yet his own life and world? Bringing Lucie out of herself, the conversations, asking her questions? His presence at the performance? Her removing her wig, her baldness? His going to the hospital, accompanying her?
6. Lucie and the recurrence of the cancer, the discussions with the doctor, removing her breasts, replacements and the conversation as to the modelling? Her supporting her daughter? Picking at the bus stop, bringing her to the performance? The other women, Dalila, the support, the dancing, the strip?
7. Lucie and her mother, reflections on the past, her mother saying she saw her husband in Lucie? Trying to persuade the mother to give full consideration to Lucie?
8. Her sister, her husband, fidelity and infidelity?
9. A portrait of a middle-aged woman, her experience of cancer, coming out of herself, self-affirmation, relationships, the recurrence and the surgery – her future?
