Must-See French Cinema Classic Scores 4/5: Romy Schneider & Yves Montand Shine in 54-Year-Old Masterpiece!

A cinematic retrospective is showcasing nine of Claude Sautet’s feature films, offering moviegoers a chance to experience or re-experience his work on the big screen. The selection includes notable films such as “Classe tous risques” (1959), “Les Choses de la vie” (1970), “Max et les ferrailleurs” (1971), “César et Rosalie” (1972), “Vincent, François, Paul et les autres” (1974), “Un mauvais fils” (1980), “Quelques jours avec moi” (1988), “Un cœur en hiver” (1992), and “Nelly et Mr. Arnaud” (1995).

The top-rated film is…

Among Claude Sautet’s body of work, “César et Rosalie” holds a special place. Released in 1972, the film marked the third collaboration between the director and actress Romy Schneider, following “Les Choses de la vie” and “Max et les ferrailleurs.” Initially considered for Catherine Deneuve, the lead role was beautifully embodied by Schneider. In this love triangle story, her performance alongside Yves Montand and Sami Frey is particularly memorable. Following this film, Claude Sautet would collaborate with Romy Schneider on two more occasions.

With over 1900 ratings and nearly 110 reviews on AlloCiné, “César et Rosalie” scores an average of 4 out of 5, making it the most celebrated film in Sautet’s repertoire.

Viewer Opinions

Alain D. from Club Allociné (5/5): “A beautiful story, as only Claude Sautet can depict. His subtle direction and cinematography are a delight. The screenplay, co-written with Jean-Loup Dabadie, brings intense passion, tension, and emotion through the character study of César.

The leading trio of actors is sensational: Sami Frey is a magnificent actor with the looks of a leading man. Romy Schneider is stunningly beautiful, both troubling and moving; her elegance and wonderful accent are striking. Yves Montand is phenomenal; his portrayal of the tumultuous César is captivating. (…)”

Loulou451 (5/5): “What more can be said about this film, other than it remains one of the masterpieces of French cinema. Claude Sautet is a genius of simplicity. His stories are so straightforward, so rich, his dialogues so accurate to everyday life that we eventually forget we are watching a movie. Supported by a trio of actors at the peak of their craft, Frey-Montand-Schneider, the film draws its strength from the complexity of emotions. And here lies the magic of Romy Schneider, as mysterious as she is beautiful, who elevates the lives of her lovers at every moment. This film is unspeakably beautiful. It belongs in the pantheon of French cinema.“

VodkaMartini (5/5): “Sautet was a master in directing actors. That’s why everything feels so real, whether it’s fragments of dialogue (as mundane as they may be), glances, or gestures, they speak to us about ourselves from the very first moment. Revealing the complexity of simple stories is far from easy. Sautet does it, and with modesty at that. His cinema carries a certain nobility.“

Misoramengasuki (5/5): “A masterpiece! At the height of his craft, Claude Sautet brilliantly orchestrates the confrontation between two immense actors. Yves Montand finds here the role of his life: a torrent of energy and creativity to embody a character who is at once hammy and fragile, violent and sentimental, jealous and generous. Romy Schneider is radiant as ever, delivered by sumptuous dialogues that she performs with disarming accuracy. (…) All led masterfully, with great fluidity, verve, and irresistible humor. A comedy of change and the impermanence of feelings, where the fireworks ignited by the actors always serve the intelligence, sensitivity, and tenderly ironic gaze of the director, César et Rosalie is a monument of French cinema.“

Judithtexas (5/5): “César et Rosalie is a masterpiece! The actors are at the top of their game, and I have never seen Romy so beautiful. Rosalie lives with César, a businessman who takes good care of his daughter. But then David reappears, her former lover, for whom she harbors a true passion. The hesitation waltz begins, and César (a magnificent Yves Montand) is not ready to let go: Rosalie is the woman of his life. He’s got the money. “Very chic, do that gesture again!” she tells him at the restaurant. A superbly filmed love triangle, bravo Mr. Sautet!“

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