Cousin Cousine Reviews

Pleasant diversion, but not brave enough to push into full-fledged farce. A surprising popular success in the US, the film is what is often mistakenly described as "quintessentially French," perhaps because it has so much that one associates with Gallicism (frank sexuality and matter-of-fact adultery, pretty countrysides and city cafes) and that many Americans fondly consider charming. Two families gather to celebrate their aging parents' marriage. During the festivities, Barrault and Lanoux, cousins by marriage, become friendly and agree to see each other more often. As both are sensible, intelligent, married people, they keep emotions in check, determined to keep their relationship platonic. Soon their spouses are assuming the worst, and inevitably the worst happens. Much of the film's success comes from the excellent rapport between Barrault and Lanoux in a thoroughly convincing portrayal of the hesitant lovers. Tacchella, however, undermines his film by directing the scenes of bourgeois scandal as acceptably as possible, thereby creating the sort of "art film" guaranteed to offend no one.