Avenue Montaigne

Avenue Montaigne is a warm and charming film that is well directed by Daniele Thompson. Ms. Thompson and her son Christopher wrote the lovely screenplay.

Jessica (Cecile De France) is very devoted to her grandmother. Her granny constantly tells the story of how she loved luxury but could never attain it. So she had to settle for working in luxurious surroundings and this made her very happy. Jessica decides to test things out and goes to Paris in search of a job. She finds one in a restaurant on the upscale Avenue Montaigne. The restaurant is attached to a theater. And through this job she meets several people, most of whom are not satisfied with their lives.

There is the actress Catherine Versen (well played by Valerie Lemercier). Catherine makes tons of money as a soap opera actress but is very unhappy with her career. That is why she is doing a play. During the film she meets a well known American director, Brian Sobinski (Sydney Pollack), who she would love to work with.

Another unhappy character is Jean-Francois Lefont (Albert Dupontel). Lefont is a world famous concert pianist but he longs for a simpler life where he would play for sick people and live by a lake. His wife Valentine (Laura Morante), who also happens to be his manager, doesn't like the idea (to say the least) and this causes conflict.

And then there is Jacques Grumberg, a well off man who is auctioneering off all of the treasures that he and his late wife had accumulated throughout the years. He and his son Frederic (screenwriter Thompson) don't see eye to eye on a number of things, especially the fact that the older Grumberg is dating a young golddigger.

All the while Jessica keeps her spirits high even when the chips are down. And there is also the advice from Claudie (Dani) who has taken care of the theater and it surrounding housing. She is about to retire and she tells people the secret of her happiness. She said that she knew that she didn't have any talent in the arts but she made sure that she surrounded herself with those type of people and that has lead to her having a wonderful life (much like Jessica's granny).

I feel that this film shows us that sometimes we have to come to terms with our limitations and then go on from there and make the best life that we possibly can. Because for all we know those who are rich and famous may actually not be happy even though they seem to have it all.

I hope that people get to see this wonderful little film and like it just as much as I did.