Vénus beauté (institut) (1999)
Directed by Tonie Marshall

Film Review

An appealing mix of the conventional and the unexpected, Vénus beauté (institut) is superficially a familiar modern day love story, centred around a middle-aged woman who finally discovers true love after a life-time of avoiding it.  Yet, cleverly, its narrative consists of several interlocking layers, many of which would probably be missed on a single viewing of the film. This is the fourth film to be directed by the actress-turned-director Tonie Marshall, and arguably her best to date. Her other films include Enfants de salaud (1996) and France Boutique (2003).

The gaudy rose-tinted photography, matching the neon-drenched sugary artificiality of the beauty clinic, overlays a complex human drama, involving not just the lead character, Angèle, but also her colleagues, her family and her ex-lovers.  Far from diluting the film's impact, its all-too-pretty cinematography and occasional comic diversions somehow heighten the drama and involve the viewer to a greater degree.  Just as women (and men) use make-up to hide their physical imperfections, Angèle has cacooned herself in a false external shell for herself, which conceals a tragically wounded character.  The film's strong visual style makes an appropriate metaphor for its content, and the two complement each other very well.

The quality of this film was reflected both in its popularity (attracting 1.3 million cinema goers in France) and at the 2000 Césars Ceremony, where it won no less than four awards, including awards for the best director, best film and best original scenario.  It also won the best promising newcomer César for the captivating debutant Audrey Tautou, who has since shot to fame as the chocolate drop-eyed heroine of Jean-Pierre Jeunet's 2001 hit Le Fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain. Nathalie Baye missed out on the best actress award (which went to Karin Viard in Haut les coeurs), in spite of a truly remarkable performance.  Baye's contribution to the film is probably, more than anything, what makes it so enjoyable and also so moving.

Film Synopsis

Angèle is a middle-aged beautician who refuses to settle down with a man, preferring a string of one night stands and short-term relationships.  She works at the Venus Beauty clinic, where her colleagues include the disillusioned Samantha, who, like Angèle, is unable to commit to a long-term relationship, and the ingenuous Marie, who innocently accepts gifts from an ageing widower who is receiving cosmetic surgery.  Angèle's life takes an unexpected turn one day when a younger man, a total stranger named Antoine, accosts her and says he is in love with her.   At first, afraid of what this may lead to, Angèle pushes Antoine aside.  Then, as he persists, she begins to do what she has tried to avoid all her life, to fall in love…