PRIVATE FEARS IN
PUBLIC PLACES aka COEURS
Year: 2006
UK: Artificial Eye
Cast: Laura Morante, Lambert Wilson, Pierre Arditi, Isabelle Carre, Andre Dussollier, Sabine Azema, Claude Rich
Director: Alain Resnais
Countries: France / Italy
Language: French (English subtitles)
UK: 120 mins
UK Certificate: 12A contains a single use of strong language and moderate sex references
UK Release Date: 20 July 2007
UK Distributor
Synopsis
Based on the play 'Private Fears in Public Places' by Alan Ayckbourn, the story has three intersecting strands: one concerns real estate agent Thierry (Andre Dussollier), his sister, Gaelle (Isabelle Carre), and his pious assistant Charlotte (Sabine Azema); the second follows Nicole, (Laura Morante) and her unemployed boyfriend (Lambert Wilson); and the third focuses on an ageing, possibly gay bartender Lionel (Pierre Arditi), living alone with his ailing, foul-mouthed and garrulous father Arthur (Claude Rich), who is never seen but very much heard.
When not trying to find an apartment for his difficult clients, Nicole (Laura Morante) and Dan (Lambert Wilson), Thierry (Andre Dussollier) tries to charm his alluring but saintly co-worker, Charlotte (Sabine Azema). She lends him a tape of her favourite religious TV programme, but Thierry's in for a huge surprise. Meanwhile, his sister, Gaëlle (Isabelle Carre), is on a quest of her own to find the love of her life. With the help of Lionel (Pierre Arditi), a friendly bartender, she meets Dan and they get on well until Gaëlle spots Dan with Nicole. Dan confides in Lionel, who has hired Charlotte as a night nurse for his terminally sick and unbearably rude father, Arthur. Charlotte performs a miracle in getting Arthur to behave himself. She leaves behind a tape of her "favourite religious TV programme"...
The result of transporting PRIVATE FEARS IN PUBLIC PLACES from a London setting to Paris and from the theatre to the big screen is in no way a compromise - it is faithful to its theatrical origins but more than suited to the big screen. The result is funny, compassionate and sad. The film's music soundtrack is particularly impressive with a disquieting score by Mark Snow of 'X-FILES' fame.