The Last Metro

Watch: The Last Metro

Unrated

10/12/19802h 11m

Premiere Release (US)

~ A story of love and conflict. ~

Overview:

In occupied Paris, an actress married to a Jewish theater owner must keep him hidden from the Nazis while doing both of their jobs.

Director:

François Truffaut

Status:

Released

Language:

French

Buget:

$0.00

Revenue:

$0.00

Key words:

jew persecution
theater play
theatre group
nouvelle vague

Cast

Catherine Deneuve

~ as ~

Marion Steiner

Gérard Depardieu

~ as ~

Bernard Granger

Jean Poiret

~ as ~

Jean-Loup Cottins

Andréa Ferréol

~ as ~

Arlette Guillaume

Paulette Dubost

~ as ~

Germaine Fabre

Jean-Louis Richard

~ as ~

Daxiat

Maurice Risch

~ as ~

Raymond Boursier

Heinz Bennent

~ as ~

Lucas Steiner

Sabine Haudepin

~ as ~

Nadine Marsac

Christian Baltauss

~ as ~

Lucien Ballard, Bernard's Replacement

View full cast & crew

Reviews (1)

CinemaSerf
Written 11 month(s) ago
7
Despite, or possibly because of, the Nazi occupation of Paris in 1942 the theatres and cinemas of the city are thriving. One of the most popular was in Montmartre and run by the Steiners. Now he's a Jew so they decide it best he leaves for the Vichy and the theatre in the hands of his actress wife "Marion" (Catherine Deneuve). Rather aptly, they decide to present a new play called "the Disappearance" and draft in "Granger" (Gerard Depardieu) to co-star with "Marion" under the director "Jean-Loup" (Jean Poiret). Now it's fair to say that "Granger" is a bit of a womaniser - but the object of his desires here, who happens to be the costumier "Arlette" (Andréa Ferrêol), wouldn't touch him with a flagpole. Their best laid plans as a troupe is to survive what's left of the war in one piece, and with dangers around every corner as well as rationing, they have their work cut out. As the story develops, we come to realise that both "Marion" and her co-star have secrets to keep and their make or break production will also be seen by the arch anti-semite critic "Daxiat" (Jean-Louis Richard) who could readily undo all of their hard work and see them all on the scrapheap. There's loads of chemistry here and François Truffaut manages to inject some dark humour into an environment that's admittedly riddled with fear, but that also presents us with some insights into the lives of these artistes who compete, contrive and contrast with each other in just about every aspect of their daily lives. It's a film about bravery, courage and determination - often found in the least likely of places, and Deneuve offers us a powerfully engaging characterisation that epitomises the concept of less is more. It takes it's time, so settle down with a glass of decent Malbec and you ought to enjoy some talent at the top of their game.