L' Étudiante et Monsieur Henri

The Student and Mr Henri
Frühstück bei Monsieur Henri
France, 2015

References: Alliance Française French Film Festival, Archive 2016
Constance moves in, not before Henri hands her an exposè of rules that is of book length. 

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Oh please, I hear you say. Really? Another one of this? Another film based on the proven narrative recipe that tells us about a young girl that turns the world of an elderly man upside down?

Tout à fait! At the beginning it seems just like that: Grumpy old Parisien  (Claude Brasseur as Monsieur Henri) meets chaotic young woman from Orléans (Noémie Schmidt as Constance) and his life gets whirled around in no time. He, in return and quite unwittingly, gives her trust in herself and a grain of wisdom. All of this happens in a very private and ever so charming French style- I do promise you will be intrigued by the minute.

According to her father, Constance can't do anything right. In fact, the girl did not finish her courses at university so far because she didn't pass her exams. She is in search for her place in life yet. To establish herself and, yes, to annoy her father, she travels to Paris in order to come to terms with her dreams, life and reality. The adventure in Paris starts very promising when Constance discovers an ad for a more than affordable apartment for rent. Unable to believe her eyes, she makes an appointment to visit it. The door is opened by Henri and soon enough both of them are engaged in a verbal repartee of attacks on pleasantries and manners.

C: If the room is free, I'd love to see it. May I?
H: For a few minutes then. But wipe your feet first! You won't dirty my place.
C: You have cleaned?
H: Why the questions? Did I ask if you washed today?
C: I washed this morning.
H: Relieved to hear it.

It turns out that Henri's son Paul placed the ad. In exchange for the cheap rental charge the tenant is supposed to look after his father who is not in good health. Henri, of course, is of a different opinion and tries everything to chase Constance away. He lies to her about the room and the facilities.

H: I never enter this room. It's possibly full of cockroaches. Here it is.
C: It's not that bad! Kind of rock 'n roll.
C: There is a bathroom?
H: The water heater broke down five years ago.
C: Five years of cold shower?
H: Kind of rock 'n roll, eh?
C: Medieval, more like.
H: A cold shower is always shorter.
C: No joking, I wouldn't even take a shower.
H: Coward! You've never known war.

Anyhow, Constance is the winner of this contest and moves in. It does not take long at all until the two flatmates get on okay. Despite the difference in age they open up to each other, with some little disputes now and again. Henri owns a piano that was once played by his wife. Constance plays piano too and composes music, but touching Henri's instrument is strictly forbidden. One day, when Henri is for a walk, Constance opens the lid and begins to play. The music in the film is very moving and superb. This is Constance's song, written by her and performed on Henri's magical piano. Please listen and enjoy.

This is Constance's song and it is beautiful.
"La vie de Constance" by Laurent Aknin
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJqq_IJz3ZA

Henri returns earlier than expected and catches her playing. He's already pissed off for he checked his bank account and saw that Constance is overdue with rental payment. His first reaction in his anger is, understandable perhaps, wanting her to leave for good. Suddenly he changes his mind and makes an offer to Constance. There are permanent tensions and arguments between Henri and Paul. The main point of contention is Henri's aversion for Valérie, Paul's wife. She is a sweet and loving woman, and I think she is perfect for Paul. Henri, though, thinks she is not very smart. He complains to Constance:

H: She (Valérie) failed every exam!
C: Maybe it is not stupidity, but only nerves?
H: She can't read a road map! My grandchildren will have the IQ of a goldfish!
C: Don't you think you are a bit too harsh?

In the light of this and the unpaid rent Henri declares his idea. Now, and this is my personal opinion really, follows a part in the film that is as useful as a painter's brush with no paint. Definitely unnecessary and a bit the weak point in the plot, Henri asks Constance to make Paul's head spin and let him see he can do better than Valérie. Without any question this is no-go area, and Henri has no right to even think or suggest this. He does it for love to his boy and, albeit he should know better as a father, he can't stop himself from pressing on his advantage. Constance, dangerously overdrawn and in a financial disaster at the moment, accepts reluctantly. Her 'reward' in the bargain is rent-free living in the apartment for six months.

References: Alliance Française French Film Festival, Archive 2016
Please look at this scene and watch the play of Claude Brasseur at this moment. He is absolutely adorable at this. Also look at Paul. He loves and cares for his difficult father, but it is not easy for him to show.

Quicker than she thinks Henri arranges a meeting and Constance is supposed to start her charm offensive. The films lives on the wonderful relationship between Henri and Constance, together they are so delightful! The clashing fascination of the moody old man that matches the swinging lifestyle of the modern and open young girl all too well is quite breathtaking, really. She wears Henri's house slippers without asking and learns to respect others when he notices. Henri stoically returns his dinner plate to the kitchen when Constance serves supper in the living room with the telly blaring at them. These little scenes and power games between them are absolutely delicious. Magnifique! They do each other so good! Finally, Sunday lunch and meeting Paul comes and it goes like this:

H: (to Paul) You'll catch a cold in that shirt!
P: You could have dressed (Henri appears in a dressing gown at the lunch table to annoy Paul and Valérie).
H: It is Sunday!
P: Yes! Time for Sunday's best clothes! Make an effort!
H: (to Constance) I don't look good in this?
C: You do. You'd be sexier in a nice shirt.

Without the slightest try of back chat Henri turns on the spot and gets changed into a  shirt. Isn't that lovely? Exactement!

References: Alliance Française French Film Festival, Archive 2016
This is lunch time. Paul and Valérie are invited to set Henri's plan to action.

The story continues and, gladly, the cheap twist in the plot does not predominate the rest of the otherwise lovely narration. The director sends his actors with so much vigour and feel into the beaten track. With some sensitive turns and perfect timing he makes sure that the comedic framework gets into the background at the right moment and doesn't overshadow the melancholic and thoughtful moments between landlord and tenant. It gives us the chance to ask a very sincere question. What is it that two people of similar temper have to give each other, more so if one of them is at the beginning and one at the end of life? There are very funny moments too, of course. Paul is flattered by Constance's advances and,  clumsily, he reacts to her with some changes that let him appear rather tiresome and out of place. A funky leather jacket and loitering around the night clubs don't make a man, right?

Constance, however, feels more and more uncomfortable with the situation. The wrongness of the arrangement and pretending what she is not and never can be gets to her. She, once again and going down like a lead balloon, fails her exam and is devastated in the process. She drinks too much and can't deal with her situation any longer. She wants to end the charade.

C: I disgust myself.
H: Spare me your qualms.
C: I'm sorry, but I do. I can't look at myself in the mirror!
H: Then don't!
C: Paul loves his wife! Don't you see?

There is another wonderful song in the film and it covers very well what a dilemma Constance has brought herself into. I love the song. Truth is a beautiful thing, you see.

"Wasting My Young Years" by London Grammar
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkeDBwsIaZw

Ultimately, when Paul asks Constance for a three-day trip to Venice she can't do anything else than stopping him from making a mistake. I think at this time she is the only mature person in the film. She is the only one who sees clear. She can see what none of the other three can. She sees the love between Valérie and Paul that mustn't be destroyed. She sees the love between Henri and Paul that is so strong a bond. Unable to hurt anyone of them, she does the inevitable right thing, and Constance has all my heart for this. During her stay with Henri she personally got stronger and stronger, she works up the courage and ends the farce. Meanwhile, a miracle happens. After ten years of trying Valérie is finally pregnant. What a soppy twist, you might say. It certainly is. But it somehow fits and because the play isn't  drifting off into platitudes,  it does not disturb the story. Even the most recognisable and not so spectacular turns tend to be a pleasure in the film. Maybe it is what every one of us has to learn too: If you can bear it show some tolerance and try to understand why it comes to things you do not always like. Listen to the people that are older than you, it can be very helpful. Listen also to the ideas of the younger ones, they can change your perspectives quite miraculously as well. All of the protagonists grow as the story wears on, and this is presented to us in great French dialogues spiked with fine humour, sarcasm, feel and a delicate way of playing the roles. Amazing!

Do you know what 'Je t'aime' means in Henri-language?
It means 'Don't catch a cold'.

Please watch the film if you can afford some time. You will love it. I'm sure of it.
And oh, this is very important to me. Please promise me not to forget your shawl. I don't want you catching a cold.

Photograph: 4 August 2018