Free-spirited,
volatile Gwen and intense introverted Lise are best friends who see
each other only during summer vacation on the Brittany coast when
Lise comes with her mother and sisters from their home near Paris.
The rest of the time they write letters. This summer Lise announces
that she can’t make it, but her explanation is unconvincing.
Although disappointed, Gwen carries on with her life, which consists
mainly in sneaking off to have sex with her “boyfriend”
or any other young men she happens to find on the beach, and getting
into trouble with her out-of-work fisherman father. Lise, meanwhile,
is silently coping with the sudden death of her long-estranged father
and her undemonstrative, though clearly distraught mother. With the
household in a state of suspended animation, Lise, suffocated by the
lugubrious atmosphere, slips away and turns up unexpectedly at Gwen’s
place. Initially overjoyed to see one another, the two friends soon
realize that their relationship has changed. Lise’s jealousy
over Gwen’s inordinate interest in boys, and Gwen’s resentment
of Lise’s demands on her finally fracture their friendship. An
unsentimental coming-of-age story, told with simplicity and telling
details, the film features outstanding performances by the two leads,
both rising stars in France.
|
|
| PHOTO Courtesy
of Wellspring Media |
|
