AniInterview
Sorry, this movie sucks
Curapedi
I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.
Catangro
After playing with our expectations, this turns out to be a very different sort of film.
Arianna Moses
Let me be very fair here, this is not the best movie in my opinion. But, this movie is fun, it has purpose and is very enjoyable to watch.
noralee
The last time I saw Paris was in Eric Rohmer's "Rendez-Vous." Now I've revisited in "While the Cat's Away (Chacun cherche son chat)." It's "Seinfeld"-ian in that nothing really happens (and sometimes its 95 minutes do drag) but it's a wonderful slice of urban life in a gentrifying neighborhood as residents occupy different eco-systems in the same locality.It could easily be re-made on the Upper West Side of NYC, or other city neighborhoods.It is quite a lovely little movie. Many of the actors are non-professionals that really are their neighborhood's local color characters.However, at last night's showing someone brought their kids thinking because it had an animal in the title it was appropriate. I did not think so - there are visuals and discussion of explicit sex (hetero- and homosexual) as well as sexual harassment threats that I do not think are appropriate for children. (originally written 7/24/1997)
inframan
I agree with all the superlatives that precede this comment and just want to add my astonishment at how accomplished the director is to make the action flow so effortlessly and the acting so definitively natural, because there is really a lot going on with little "plot" to drive it. The characterizations (and the actors responsible) cover a broad range but all ring totally true and with minimum effort. What an impressive film!
Maggot-6
Thank God for Sundance, for I'd otherwise never had seen this hidden gem. Admittedly I am a Francophile, and a Francophone, and these are probable reasons I found myself enchanted by the sound, cinematography (gorgeous), believeable and mature plot line and dialogue. I feel this is one of the finest movies I've ever seen- it was a joy from start to end. I loved the song (English) played as the credits rolled- I wish I could find it. I want to see more from this director, and I am *so* grateful that the Sundance channel brings such hidden gems as these French movies I'd otherwise miss. Wasn't it they who brought me Ridicule? (another ALL TIME favorite)
vebra
As I have been recently getting into French cinema, watching this film was a delight. In what I see as being typical of French films, the most obvious storyline is not entirely what is in the director's mind.
To many this film will appear to be a rather mild (despite some of the scenes!) film about a womans life, and a search for her cat. In reality, however, we're presented with a documentary of how a Parisian neighbourhood is undergoing radical change. France has many problems regarding population grouping, and this film highlights some of the events.. the differences between age groups, and attitudes between this cocktail of people.We learn from this film of an established community in Chloé's particular district, and how this community is slowly dying or being moved away. We can also sense a rawness of character, whether in the comments about modern dress or the opinions of Chloé's roommate.As such, I think this film is great for a variety of audiences. The story is interesting enough for general viewing, and has a bittersweet taste. However, the film also caters to movie buffs and culutral types excellently. You can understand this film on two levels.. and the audience is allowed to choose which.C'est trés bon!
