LA PARISIENNE (UNE PARISIENNE)

(director/writer: Michel Boisrond; screenwriters: Jean Aurel/Annette Wademant; cinematographer: Marcel Grignon; editors: Henri Crola/ Alaudine Bouche; music: Hubert Rostaing; cast: Charles Boyer (Prince Charles), Henri Vidal (Michel Legrand), Brigitte Bardot (Brigitte Laurier), Noel Roquevert (Herblay), André Luguet (Prime Minister), Nadia Gray (Queen Greta), Andre Luguet (Alcide Laurier), Marcel Peres (General), Madeline Lebeau (Monique Wilson); Runtime: 86; MPAA Rating: NR; producer: Francis Cosne; United Artists; 1957-France/Italy-in French with English subtitles)

“This saucy comedy lacks the sophistication it needed.”

Reviewed by Dennis Schwartz

Under the weak direction of Michel Boisrond (“Naughty Girl”/”Come Dance With Me!”/”Tender Moment”) this saucy comedy lacks the sophistication it needed. It’s co-written by Boisrond, Jean Aurel and Annette Wademant.

Sex kitten Brigitte Laurier (Brigitte Bardot) is the daughter of France’s president (Andre Luguet), who is madly in love with dad’s ambitious womanizing underling Michel Legrand (Henri Vidal). The young politician tries ignoring her, preferring affairs with older married women, but during a politically motivated duck hunt the wily Brigitte ropes her man into marrying her after caught by her dad in a compromising bedroom position.

When hubby ignores Brigitte, she aims to make him jealous by giving the appearance of having an affair with the visiting older ladies man Prince Charles (Charles Boyer) by joining him on his jet.

It makes for an inconsequential but somewhat pleasant bedroom farce. It’s a genre the French seem to enjoy and probably do it better than Hollywood. For the viewer who wishes to see Brigitte Bardot in various skimpy attire, such as negligees, this pic comes through as easily as a wet dream.

REVIEWED ON 11/17/2013 GRADE: C+