Marie-Louise ou la permission (1995)

Marie-Louise ou la permission Poster

Star crossed lovers are the focus of this French romantic comedy. Marie-Louise, an American, has come to Paris to meet her new lover, Jean-Paul who has a weekend pass from his military service post. Unfortunately they misunderstood each other's instructions and are each at different train stations. They begin desperate searches throughout the night to find each other. The are hindered by Jean-Paul's ex-lover Marie, whom he rejected. Marie will do anything to get rid of Marie-Louise and win Jean-Paul back. Marie-Louise has her own problems when Jean falls for her. Jean accidently gets her involved with the police after he is arrested on the suspicion of pickpocketing. Despite their travails, the couple still tries to find each other. In the end, they are assisted by a magical nun who finally reunites them.

Film Overview
"Marie-Louise ou la permission" is a 1995 French coming-of-age film directed by Manuel Flèche. The film tells the story of Pierre, a 20-year-old French conscript who meets and falls for Marie-Louise, a girl from Quebec. The narrative follows the relationship's advancement during Pierre's brief seven-day military leave. This film incredibly catches the thrilling yet short lived moments of puppy love, intermixed with the unpredictabilities and realities of adult life.

Plot
The movie starts with Pierre, a disappointed conscript, taking his seven-day leave from the French military. He reveals his desire to experience more than his regular life. On his first day of rest, while wandering aimlessly in Paris, he satisfies Marie-Louise, a girl from Quebec who is touring Europe. Their chemistry is instant, and they quickly link as 2 passionate young minds yearning to check out and experience more. As the week unfolds, their connection deepens into affection and love.

However, Marie-Louise's visa expiration date techniques, which suggests she has to go back to Canada, and Pierre should go back to his military tasks. In spite of the restricted time they can spend together, Marie-Louise and Pierre choose to make the most of it by exploring Paris while sharing their goals, fears, and dreams.

Characters
The central characters, Marie-Louise and Pierre, are both complex yet relatable. Pierre, represented by star Emmanuel Morozof, is dissatisfied with his present circumstance and wish for significant experiences. Marie-Louise, represented by Alexandra London, is a resourceful and independent tourist who is identified to make the most out of her European trip. Their interaction showcases the nuances of young love, vulnerability, and the problems of maturing.

Background and Themes
Director Manuel Flèche artfully encapsulates Pierre and Marie-Louise's whirlwind relationship versus the background of Paris's beauty, commemorating the beauty, spontaneity, and candidness of a youth's romantic encounter. The film checks out styles like self discovery, flexibility of choice, spontaneity, and the intensity of first love. It also investigates social constrictions, longing for self-reliance, and the melancholia connected with growing obligations.

Reception
The film got critical praise for its warm representation of puppy love amidst the circumstance of impending responsibilities. Its story, abundant in human emotions and life's realities, touched audiences, leaving them mentally engaged and reflective. The acting expertise of the young leads, Emmanuel Morozof and Alexandra London, was much appreciated, in addition to Michael Bertin's smooth cinematography.

Conclusion
"Marie-Louise ou la permission" is a poignant coming-of-age drama. In simply seven days, Pierre and Marie-Louise experience a life's worth of love, connection, and self-discovery. The movie brings ephemerality into focus, making audiences contemplate the vulnerable nature of life's stunning moments. An ageless film, it stays relevant for its capability to stir hearts with its puppy love narrative, experienced with the bitterness of life's vital realism.

Top Cast

  • Kate Beckinsale (small)
    Kate Beckinsale
    Marie-Louise
  • Eric Ruf (small)
    Eric Ruf
    Jean-Paul
  • Marie Caries (small)
    Marie Caries
    Marie
  • Pascal Ternisien (small)
    Pascal Ternisien
    Jean
  • Yann Collette (small)
    Yann Collette
    Les Collette
  • Clovis Cornillac (small)
    Clovis Cornillac
    Bob, aka 'la méthode américaine'
  • François Genty (small)
    François Genty
    Dominique
  • Garance Clavel (small)
    Garance Clavel
    'La Momie'