LES HERBES FOLLES (France/Italy 2009) ***
Directed by Alain Resnais

What is wrong with Georges (Andre Dussolier)?  What has he done wrong in the past?  From Master director Alain Resnais comes a romance with a difference.  Resnais uses lots of voiceover with the images of his actors to both tell the story and relate the emotions of his characters. 

The film is based on a story called ‘The Incident’.  When a woman thanks Georges for returning her lost wallet from her stolen handbag (the incident), Georges starts pursuing her, Marguerite Muir (Sabine Azema).  Getting no results, he slashes her tires so that she cannot get away.  But this fatal attraction story is done in all bright colors (the fashions are gorgeous) with beautiful people.  Though the narrative does not really make any sense, Resnais’ filming is the star of his film.  In the first sequence for example when the woman buys shoes and loses her wallet, her face is never seen till it appears out of the water in her bath tub. 

LES HERBES FOLLES could be looked upon as a variation of Resnais previous SMOKING/NO SMOKING film which dealt with ‘what if’ scenarios.  Midway during the film, Resnais has a quotation from Flaubert, the author of MADAME BOVARY about love titled on the screen.  It is noted that the character breaking out of the mould of a long stale marriage in this case is a male, George who seeks out Marguerite.

Resnais’ film has an excellent cast that includes Anne Consigny, Emmanuelle Devos (as Marguerite’s puzzled best friend, Josepha) and Mathieu Amalric as a cop involved in the matter.

The film portrays a lot of patience and tolerance of its characters.  Marguerite does not press charges when her tires are slashed.  Georges’ wife tolerates his meeting with Marguerite and the cops do not exhibit brutish force.

Though a bit puzzling (not to be revealed in this review), The ending does tie the film nicely together without any loose ends.  Not the best of Resnais but still a pleasant experience!