Mademoiselle Chambon

2009 Drama

Two adults struggle to avoid letting their erotic passion for one another guide them into infidelity in this subtly erotic, understated chamber drama from France. Vincent Lindon stars as Jean, a burly blue-collar mason who lives semi-contentedly with his wife, Anne-Marie (Aure Atika), and son, Jérémy (Arthur Le Houérou), in some unspecified provincial French town. Little passion exists in Jean's life -- until his path crisscrosses with that of Véronique Chambon (Sandrine Kiberlain), his son's violin teacher. Completely taken with the woman's cultural sophistication (manifested through her love of classical music) and intellectualism, Jean begins contemplating an affair with this virtual stranger, and offers to repair one of her windows as an excuse to be more proximate to her. Ultimately, suspense begins to build as the question lingers of whether the two will give in to their desires. Stéphane Brizé directed and authored the script, an adaptation of Eric Holder's novel. more..

Director: Stéphane Brizé

Starring: Vincent Lindon, Sandrine Kiberlain, Aure Atika, Jean-Marc Thibault

 23 Reviews  3 Awards

Reviews

  • People fall in love in every country, but nowhere is the experience put on film with the flawless style, empathy and emotion the French provide. Mademoiselle Chambon is the latest in that line of deeply moving romances, an exquisite chamber piece made with the kind of sensitivity and nuance that's become almost a lost art.

    Kenneth Turan - Los Angeles Times

    26 April 2013

  • Lindon is a strong, sensitive actor, heir to the stoic French working-class tradition of Jean Gabin and Lino Ventura. And not enough can be said for Kiberlain, an actress willing to be seen in all her ranges.

    Mick LaSalle - The San Francisco Chronicle

    26 April 2013

  • The simplest of stories can be elevated by first-rate acting and directing. Consider Stephane Brize's Mademoiselle Chambon, a French film that achieves a subtle but devastating impact.

    - The Hollywood Reporter

    26 April 2013

  • Working from a well-thought-out script co-written by director Stéphane Brizé, the two stars deliver impressive, understated performances.

    V.A. Musetto - New York Post

    26 April 2013

  • As its brilliantly choreographed -- and appropriately modest -- climax proves, given the right ingredients, even the simplest story can leave you gasping.

    Jeannette Catsoulis - NPR

    26 April 2013

Awards

  • Best Adapted Screenplay (Meilleure adaptation)

    César Awards, France (2010)

  • Best Foreign Film

    Independent Spirit Awards (2011)

     

  • International Competition

    Istanbul International Film Festival (2010)

Lists

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