Search - Cesar & Rosalie on DVD

César et Rosalie is a Flawless French Film.

G. Merritt | Boulder, CO | 10/29/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Claude Sautet is best known for his highly-acclaimed films Un Coeur en Hiver ( A Heart in Winter ) and Nelly and Monsieur Arnaud. Sautet's earlier, 1972 French romance, César et Rosalie, stars Yves Montand and Romy Schneider as a May-December couple who unexpectedly find themselves in a love triangle involving Cesar (Montand), Rosalie (Schneider), and Rosalie's former lover, David (Sami Frey), an artist who is determined to win her back. David evokes jealous feeings in César, threatening his otherwise happy relationship with Rosalie. Ultimately, Rosalie is forced to choose between the two men.



The plot of César & Rosalie is far from predictable. In fact, one of the things I enjoy most about French films such as this one is that, unlike Americans, the French seem so much more grownup in their attitudes toward sex and relationships. The unlikely relationship between César et Rosalie is not intended to be a typical Hollywood romance. It is more complex, and it may not live up to some viewers' expectations. This film avoids cliches, and the result is a film that feels real. Yves Montand and Romy Schneider carry the film with their flawless, nuanced performances. Highly recommended.



G. Merritt"

Cesar and Rosalie

Bomojaz | South Central PA, USA | 04/23/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"
Subtle and engrossing - and unequivocally French - this movie explores a menage a trois and its effects on the three involved. Rosalie (Romy Schneider) is loved by two men: Cesar (Yves Montand), a scrap metal tycoon, loud and brash, and conceited; and David (Sami Frey), quiet and reserved and detached. As the movie begins Rosalie and Cesar are living together; divorced now, Rosalie has a young child. Before that marriage she was the lover of David. When David comes back onto the scene after a five-year absence, Cesar becomes insanely jealous - to the point, ironically, of actually driving Rosalie and David together. But Cesar is a pursuer, the agressor, where David tends to walk away. Thus Cesar wins Rosalie back, but her thoughts are still with David. Desperate now, Cesar goes to David and begs him to come home with him to be with Rosalie. The two men end up becoming the best of friends - and Rosalie leaves them both! The script is strong and very clever, and the acting by all three principals is superb. Rosalie's never flinching honesty, which eliminates any guilt for her, is wonderful. A very well constructed and acted movie."

Should be a Criterion selection

Open Mind | Bay Area | 01/29/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a provocative film. You will enjoy it from the beginning and all the way to the end. After the first 15 minutes I think you will realize how much is going on and that's a good thing.



First and last, the actors are all top of the line and they all fit this movie perfectly. Casting this must have been rewarding in itself, but once the film was out...tres bien!



The storyline is simple, but the story is about 3 or 4 layers deep. And not just for females, not just for the young or young at heart and not just for the romantics. And you probably won't want it to end.



And if it becomes a "Criterion Collection" offering, I will buy it again."