(aka ''Beau-père' or 'Stepfather' ')

directed by Bertrand Blier
France 1981

 

  Receiving unwarranted attacks and criticism for its subject matter : that of a 30-year old man and his 'relationship' with his 14-year old stepdaughter, Blier's masterpiece rarely touches issue of pedophilia. The subject narrative is continually softened with wholesome and frank dialogue and empathetic slow pans to the often torn protagonist. Ariel Besse plays Marion, an innocent, sweet, and smitten young girl whose Mother has been tragically killed in a car accident. Circumstance plays a huge part in nderstanding the issue at hand, and although there is consummation of the fling, it really becomes a non-issue in the entire story - which is one of love, coping and healing. Communication is an interesting tool in "Beau Pere" and Blier plays his hand with cool French apprehension. I was particularly fond of the music, pauses and use of the entire widescreen frame. I also think the performances were excellent considering the difficult emotions that required portrayal. Really this is one of the better French films I have seen. A favorite.  out of  

Gary W. Tooze

Posters (click left poster to enlarge) and French DVD Cover

Theatrical Release: September 16th, 1981 - France

Reviews    More Reviews    DVD Reviews

DVD Review: Fox / Lorber - Region 0 - NTSC

DVD Box Cover

   

WE DON'T RECOMMEND BUYING THIS FOX-LORBER EDITION, BUT IF YOU SPEAK FRENCH THERE IS AN UN-SUBTITLED ONE AVAILABLE HERE:
Distribution Fox Lorber - Region 0 - NTSC
Runtime 1:58:43
Video 2.29:1 Original Aspect Ratio
Average Bitrate: 3.94 mb/s
NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s   
Audio French (Dolby Digital 2.0 Dolby) 
Subtitles English, None
Features

Release Information:
Studio: Fox / Lorber

Aspect Ratio:
Aspect Ratio 2.29:1

Edition Details:

• Production Credits (text screens)
• Filmographies and Awards (text screens)
 

DVD Release Date: 1999
Keep Case
Chapters: 10

 

 

Comments:

What a disaster this DVD is. Weak analog transfer from a PAL master - but the big issue and the one I vehemently advice you to avoid it like the plague - is that in the middle of the film - the DVD somehow switches subtitles - meaning they are shown when the opposite person is speaking. Now, I am not a total ogre and understand these things happen, BUT couldn't it have been fixed by now? It's been 5 years! This DVD should have been recalled upon the first complaint of this issue, but instead you can still buy the same flawed DVD - terrible work Fox-Lorber. Nice to see how much pride you take in your product.

 

If you can  understand French, I strongly recommend the film, so you may buy a Studio- Canal Region 2- PAL DVD of this fine film HERE. Don't buy the NTSC! I give it out of  

Gary W. Tooze

 




DVD Menus

 

Subtitle Sample

 

 

 

Screen Captures

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For about a 10 minutes span in the middle of the film, the subtitles become mismatched.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DVD Box Cover

   

WE DON'T RECOMMEND BUYING THIS FOX-LORBER EDITION, BUT IF YOU SPEAK FRENCH THERE IS AN UN-SUBTITLED ONE AVAILABLE HERE:
Distribution Fox Lorber - Region 0 - NTSC




 

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Gary Tooze

1775 Rowntree Court

Mississauga, Ontario,

L4W 4V3    CANADA