Vie Privée

Difficult to say exactly what Malle thought he was up to with his tale of Jill, a poor little rich girl who takes up a film career and becomes a poor little superstar. Though incorporating elements from Bardot's own life, the film has the feel of a misty, quite unreal romance. Certainly it's hard to believe in the hapless Jill who's presented as merely a victim with no resources of her own whatever. One of Bardot's least affecting performances and one of Malle's least interesting movies - certainly in its American dubbed and cut (to 94 min) version.