Roman de Gare

NEW YORK (CNS) -- The title refers to the sort of popular fiction sold at European train stations -- not great literature, but an entertaining read.

"Roman de Gare" (Samuel Goldwyn) is certainly entertaining, but in distinguished director Claude Lelouch's hands, it is also a product of considerable artistry. Interestingly, Lelouch directed the film during its production under a pseudonym -- Herve Picard -- hoping the alias would confound the expectations of critics eager to pigeonhole each new Lelouch film.

This impeccably crafted suspense tale contains three separate plot strands which come together as the film progresses. Hugette (Audrey Dana), a star-struck hairdresser, is abandoned at a gas station on a rainy night after a fierce argument with her fiance. An ominous stranger (Dominique Pinon) persuades her to accept a lift.

After initial reluctance, she allows him to drive her to her parents' farm, and then hatches the idea of having him pose as her boyfriend, no less.

Then, there's Judith Ralitzer (Fanny Ardant), a best-selling novelist whom we see in the film's opening scenes both on a literary talk show discussing her latest opus, praised as her best ever, and also under interrogation by the police for reasons we don't learn until much later.

And finally, Florence (Michele Bernier), a heavyset woman frantic about the sudden disappearance of her husband, finds herself attracted to the detective assigned to investigate.

Gradually, all these elements intersect, and relationships become clear. But to say more about the plot would ruin the twisty nuances and revelations that seem to come at every turn, and keep you guessing right up to the end.

Stunningly acted by all and cleverly written by Lelouch (in tandem with Pierre Uytterhoeven) the film, unlike the majority of Hollywood's product, is keenly observant about such matters as human nature, the creative process and love.

More than 40 years after his first major hit, "A Man and A Woman," Lelouch is still in full command.

In French. Subtitles.

The film contains sporadic rough language and crude expressions, brief frank sexual dialogue and suicide. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-III -- adults. Not yet rated by the Motion Picture Association of America.

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Copyright (c) 2007 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops