L’Adolescente

The lauded star of Les Amants and Jules et Jim turns her talents to behind the camera in this assured tale of a young girl’s transition into adulthood on the cusp of World War 2.

1939: Marie, a teenage girl, spends the summer holidays with her parents Jean and Eva, at her grandmother Mamie’s house, in the picturesque town of Aubrac, secluded away in the central mountains. Although she reconnects with many familiar comforts of this childhood haven, not least her grandmother, something has changed within Marie, leading her to view the town in a new light. Most notably, the presence of a handsome Jewish doctor (Alexandre) awakens a newfound desire within the young girl. However, with her father leaving the family behind for a personal trip with friends, a close relationship blooms between Eva and Alexandre, as her own mother unexpectedly fuels the fire of Marie’s jealousy.

One would think to sustain a prolific acting career spanning over 60 years, including some of the most iconic performances of film history and working with innumerable great directors (Truffaut, Malle, Losey, Antonioni, Welles etc.), would more than suffice for 99% of stars out there. Luckily for us, one the Grande Dames of French cinema, Jeanne Moreau, embarked on a promising, if short-lived, directorial stint.
Following her debut feature Lumière, an insightful self-reflective look on the film industry, this is a rare opportunity to catch Moreau’s second feature. L’Adolescente is an endearing portrait of childhood, which milks its luscious location and the nostalgic qualities of summer days in the grandparental home. However, this is more than just a sugercoated perusal through a photo album; Moreau deftly evokes the troubled and indulgent feelings that accompany burgeoning desire, while the simmering menace of the film’s historical moment disturbingly upsets the tranquillity of the scene.

As would be expected from a great actress, the film is very character-driven and the performances carry through the narrative with quality. The standout is Simone Signoret (Casque d’or), a legend of French cinema, who plays the benevolent Mamie with verve and will have you wishing she was your own grandmother! The young Laetitia Chaveau holds her own in such great company as the confused Marie, while Edith Clever delivers a physical turn full of ambiguous sensuality as the mother.

An accomplished, historical piece examining the behaviour of three women across generations, Jeanne Moreau’s film is a slice of cinematic history to behold.