Film

What's on at the cinema plus reviews of the latest movie and DVD releases


Villa des Roses (2002)

Director: Frank van Passel

Average user rating
No reviews

Movie review

From Time Out Film Guide

Van Passel eschewed the Hollywood route opened up by his acclaimed debut Manneken Pis, opting instead for an adaptation of a Flemish novel. A European co-production, set in Paris and filmed in English, it is, loosely, a historical romance. The book was set in 1903, but the film shifts the action to 1913, thus further complicating the liaison between a French maid, Louise (Delpy), and a German 'gentleman' (Dingwall), whose commitment to her is at best doubtful. Her future, like that of the continent, veers dangerously out of control. In search of commercial success and art house kudos, the director has gathered a cast with proven credentials: Walter and West as the English couple who run the ramshackle Parisian boarding house where the maid works, and Henderson as the cook and spirited ally of the fragile Louise. Also, fearing costume drama starchiness, he attempts to emulate the panache of Jeunet and Caro by employing digitally produced effects. But the script is too geared towards a contemporary audience to ring true, and the studio sets give no sense of place.

Author: KW

Time Out Film Guide


What do you think?
Post your review now

clear rating
Min 1 star. Zero stars will be treated as unrated.

*mandatory fields




Most popular on this site


Top Stories

Has David Cronenberg turned tame?

Has David Cronenberg turned tame?

Has director David Cronenberg veered too far from his radical and bloody roots with new film 'A Dangerous Method'?

The 10 worst date movies

The 10 worst date movies

Just in time for Valentine's Day, we present ten of the least romantic films ever made

Where to watch this year's Oscar-nominated films

Where to watch this year's Oscar-nominated films

Find out where to watch 2012's Oscar-nominated films in London cinemas

10 unlikely badboy biopics

10 unlikely badboy biopics

Featuring Phil Collins, Jeremy Clarkson, Nick Clegg, David Starkey and a host of other unlikely subjects

Interview: Sean Durkin on 'Martha Marcy May Marlene'

Interview: Sean Durkin on 'Martha Marcy May Marlene'

The first-time director of the brilliant new thriller discusses religious cults and robot boxing

Pop-up cinema for Valentine's Day

Pop-up cinema for Valentine's Day

Side-step romantic clichés with some alternative Valentine’s viewing