Film Review: Avenue Montaigne

This is a lovely delightful entertaining French film. I must say the French know how to make the characters seem real. It was fantastic to be in Paris. We are totally entertained throughout the film. Best of all was Jessica superbly played by Cecile de France. She is so fresh and pert and perfect in the role. Jessica is looking for a job. She has come to Paris and lives with her grandmother. Her grandmother has a love for culture and living in the big city. Jessica talks her way into becoming a waitress in a café. This restaurant has never hired a female before. You wish you were in the restaurant and she would serve you. I couldn’t get enough of her charming smile and fresh delightful manner. She is the central focus. At the same time we are introduced to three sub plots that are interwoven in the story. We meet a famous pianist. He is unhappily booked for years to come. You feel for him living a role he is not happy with. His wife is his manager and there is obviously tension in the relationship. Jessica also waits on a woman who is determined to play the role of Simone de Beauvoir. She tries to convince an American director that she would be perfect for the part. I found the third story the most moving. A very successful art collector is selling off his collection. He has not had a good rapport with his son. We are part of the sale and we feel the emotion of getting rid of this major collection while his son looks on. The stories are interwoven and keep your attention. The acting is superb. I saw this film at a preview several months ago and yet in my mind I can still see the part played by Jessica. The audience gave a resounding applause when it was over. Comments were all positive at the Q & A that followed the film preview. I want to see it again.