Eric Rohmer's second movie, A Good Marriage, is the first one I've seen, and my being a big fan of Arielle Dombasle aside, it is a very good one. Sabine (Beatrice Romand) is tired of being used and treaded on lightly by her married boyfriend, so after dumping him, she decides she is going to get married. As she explains to her artist friend Clarisse (Arielle Dombasle) she is going to get herself a husband without bedding him first and that's that. She hasn't any prospects, but Clarisse deliberately tries to push her and her cousin Edmond (Andre' Dussollier), who is a lawyer, together at a sister's wedding.
From the beginning, it is very clear that he isn't interested as he just runs out after a phone call. Clarisse insists she has recognized love at first sight and, though Sabine is cool about it, she single-mindedly and relentlessly begins to persue him, determined to make him her husband "whether he likes it or not!"
One can admire Sabine on the one hand for fearlessly going after what she wants, having decided to up her scruples and better things for herself. On the other hand, one gets annoyed at her childlike tantrum-throwing behavior, particularly at her birthday party when he shows up late. I actually felt sorry for him as she wouldn't stop calling his office, then eventually showed up there for a one-on-one in which he informs her he's written her a letter. I also took her side as he spewed off the same old excuse in subtitles: "It's not you, it's me." A man who avoids you and sends you a letter is pointedly telling you that it's you, and saying that it's him is a paltry attempt to be kind.
I do like how she is able to pick herself up and start all over again, realizing her mistake, and I love the humorous ray of hope at the end, which I won't give away. Sabine is a typical young woman learning all about herself and relating to others around her, and Clarisse is her eternally optimistic, romantic best friend. Their relationship and Sabine's with her family say much about her personality and attitude. This is a meaningful, yet fun and enjoyable movie that teaches important lessons about your will and others' being complete opposites. A good, solid story free of the garbage that permeates too many Hollywood productions. This one is clean and highly enjoyable.
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