Month: March 2020

In the opening sequence, Stephane (Daniel Auteuil) says more about himself than he says in the entire film. He is an expert repairer of violins, and he is so good at his craft that the top violinists all over the world come to his studio. He works for Maxime, who is the owner of the business. Maxime treats him as his friend, but it’s not quite clear if Stephane feels the same or not. One day, Maxime tells Stephane that he is ready to leave his wife as he is in love with a woman named Camille (Emmanuelle Béart). Camille is a young violinist who comes to their workshop for some advice.  Camille and Stephane have a conversation about her playing.  When she plays violin, Stephane listens to it with the utmost attention. One thing becomes evident that Camille falls in love with Stephane. His presence creates discomfort for Camille. Sensing that, Stephane leaves the room quietly.  One day, Camille tells Maxime that she is ready to leave him as she is in love with Stephane.  But Stephane tells her that he is not in love with her.  His denial makes her devastated.  Claude Sautet makes a very delicate and nuanced observation of love. It is quite clear that Stephane is in love with her, but he is the kind of guy who loves to hide his feelings. One day, when Camille asks him about his relationship with Maxime, Stephane tells her that he treats him as his partner, not as a friend.  It seems that Stephane loves to lead a quiet, isolated life.   But then in one scene, he tells one woman that he is getting old.  After his encounter with Camille, things do not remain the same anymore. But he is so obsessed with his isolation that he is unable to move on.  He is a very romantic person, but he fears commitment and relationships. Emmanuelle Béart is so wonderful.   Her performances with her violin are so breathtakingly engrossing that one cannot take his/her eyes from her.  But, this film belongs to Auteuil . He plays a character who doesn’t tell much about himself throughout the film.  He is the kind of person who hides his feelings, controls his desires. Auteuil plays it with the utmost sophistication.    This is the kind of film which will grow on you over time.