Word: pourquoi
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Dates: during 1970-1979
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IGNORE THE TITLE. Director Coline Serreau's new film, Pourquoi Pas! is not yet another link in that chain of European fast--film cinema called "romantic comedy". It does not send its American audiences out into the night tingling with a Gallic glow--a glow derived from watching lithe, continental bodies tumble about in a variety of Kama Sutra positions. Yes, there is plenty of sex in Pourquoi Pas!, and all persuasions, but it is a natural extension of the plot and not the sole motivation behind the film, as is the case in anything starring Laura Antonnelli. The title...
...Rather, Pourquoi Pas! explores with intelligence and subtlety the vagaries of human desire. With neither snickers nor excessive sentiment Serreau unfolds the relationship between two men and a woman. The homosexual bond between Louis and Fernand is accorded the same frankness and sensitivity as the heterosexual union with Alexa. The erotic interplay between the two men lays to rest the hoary cinematic cliche that the sight of two men kissing repulses women. Serreau's skill as director and Jean--Francois Robin's delicate photography present the embrace with a warm dignity...
That, in fact, is the secret behind Pourquoi Pas!'s success; the central characters are not free-floating gonads but human beings whose sexuality reflects their emotional needs. Although the film deals with people outside the established social order, they are not refugees from a doctoral dissertation on nuts and sluts. Serreau never allows Pourquoi Pas! to dissolve into a lecture-diatribe on the joys of alternative lifestyles or role reversals...
...same, insensitive treatment. An eager, upwardly mobile businessman, his agony and rage at being left is trivialized into a despicable obsession with keeping up appearances. In making her case for sexual tolerance, Serreau commits reverse discrimination. This lack of tolerance flaws but does not destroy the impact of Pourquoi Pas! The film gives promise of great things to come from Coline Serreau...
Polnareff: Pourquoi pas? The image of my country shouldn't be limited to the fountains of Versailles and Camembert cheese...