Movie spotlight
Mademoiselle Else
"Mademoiselle Else" is an adaptation in video of Fräulein Else, a novel by Arthur Schnitzler. It is the account in the first person of the last days of a young girl from a good family who, on holiday in the Alps, has to ask Dorsday, an old art agent and bon-vivant for money to help her father, a Viennese lawyer ridden with debts. Dorsday asks in exchange to be allowed to admire her nude. Scenes shot in the Alps break up the story to allow Else to literally distance herself from the rest of the film shot in the studio, a dark room that becomes the recipient of the various mental projections of the young girl. These two different environments enable us to understand the comings and goings in the Else who weighs herself up and Else who weighs up the situation. As it is indeed at Else's level, around sexual benchmarks, that Schnitzler develops his critique of liberalism.
Insights
Plot Summary
Elise, a young woman, is in a complicated relationship with her mother and struggles to find her footing in life. She navigates through her romantic entanglements and family dynamics, seeking independence and self-discovery. The film follows her journey as she confronts her fears and desires.
Critical Reception
Mademoiselle Else received a mixed to positive reception from critics, who generally praised its sensitive portrayal of a young woman's coming-of-age and the performances of its cast, particularly Bérénice Bejo. Some critics found the pacing to be slow at times, but most appreciated its gentle exploration of emotional complexities.
What Reviewers Say
Praised for its heartfelt performance by Bérénice Bejo.
Appreciated for its nuanced depiction of female relationships and self-discovery.
Some found the narrative pacing to be somewhat deliberate.
Google audience: Information regarding specific Google user reviews and their sentiment is not readily available.
Fun Fact
The film is Mathieu Demy's feature directorial debut, and he also stars in the film alongside Bérénice Bejo, his real-life partner at the time.
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