A movie about a wacky French woman (she swims topless!)  Needed:More Steve Buscemi

I am not big on movies about crazy Frenchwomen.

But I did a search for "Steve Buscemi" in the New York Public Library on-line catalog, and this was the only movie "starring" Steve Buscemi that I had never heard of.  And it seemed like an off-kilter comedy, so I decided to try it.

The movie is quite a mess.  First of all, it takes place nowhere in particular, but in America, so I'm constantly trying to figure out where the scenes were shot.  Turns out, it was shot in Providence and other places in Rhode Island.

It's about an Frenchwoman, Beatrice (Irene Jacob, no relation) who is dumped by her American lover, kidnaps (or adopts) a small Cambodian child, wanders around Providence, and finds an apartment.  She speaks English in this movie, and is completely impossible to understand.  This movie begs for closed-captioning or subtitles, but neither exist on the videotape that I used.  So you are constantly saying "what?" and going back to figure out what you missed, although it's never anything of interest.

Anyway, a man named Claude (by which this title is listed in IMDB, and who is portrayed by Mark Evan Jacobs (no relation)), already lives in the building, and is breaking up with his girlfriend because she fooled around. So he burns all her pictures, and burns down the building while Beatrice and the Cambodian child are out shopping.  Claude goes back to the scene, and lies down on a burnt mattress in agony.  Along comes Beatrice, first finding out that the house is no longer there.

Claude feels sorry for Beatrice and the kid, and has them come to live with him and his parents in a large seaside house.  Then Beatrice becomes really wacky (swimming topless, having orgasms over Mom's pancakes).  And Claude becomes sane:  he becomes a successful landscaper.

The two start appreciating each other, etc. etc. etc., and you can figure out what happens.

What about Steve Buscemi?  He has a bit part as Claude's lawyer and friend, but he's really only there for marquee value.

As for this movie:  not worth your time or money.

The screwball comedy subgenre, which emerged in the 1930s and 1940s, is known for its fast-paced, zany, and often absurd humor. They feature witty dialogue, comedic misunderstandings, and unconventional romantic pairings. These comedies often incorporate elements of farce, slapstick, and satire to create a unique and entertaining blend of humor.

Barbra Streisand and Ryan O'Neal in What's Up, Doc? (1972)

The comedy genre refers to a category of entertainment that aims to amuse and entertain audiences by using humor, wit, and comedic situations. Comedies are created with the primary intention of eliciting laughter and providing lighthearted enjoyment. They encompass a wide range of styles, tones, and themes, appealing to various tastes and audiences.

Will Ferrell, Angela Grillo, and Lap-Gei Cheung in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)

The drama genre is a broad category that features stories portraying human experiences, emotions, conflicts, and relationships in a realistic and emotionally impactful way. Dramas delve into the complexities of human life, often exploring themes of love, loss, morality, societal issues, personal growth, with the aim to evoke an emotional response from the audience by presenting relatable and thought-provoking stories.

Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)

The romance genre features the theme of romantic relationships and emotional connections between characters. These stories focus on the development of love, desire, and intimacy between protagonists, often exploring the challenges, conflicts, and triumphs that arise in their relationships.

Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca (1942)

A hapless, bad-luck prone loser meets a free-spirited Frenchwoman who inspires him to get his life back on track.

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Claude

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