Matialth
Good concept, poorly executed.
Aiden Melton
The storyline feels a little thin and moth-eaten in parts but this sequel is plenty of fun.
Guillelmina
The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.
wassduo
I would definitely recommend this movie, if - and it's a big "if" - it is the one I am thinking of. I carefully researched this issue before posting and I am 90% certain this movie is the one I think it is since no others seem to fit the bill - ensemble cast, plot about American students studying in France, personal development.I had HBO as a teenager growing up in the 80s and remember watching an oddly engaging romance film (my normal fair back then was "Mad Max" and "Commando") about a troupe of US college students studying abroad and going through a series of personal contortions that held lessons on maturity. In 1989-1990, I actually went on a one-year study abroad myself and as I experienced life in Luxemburg, which is where I went, I kept remembering this movie.In a broad macro way it captured much of what I felt and perceived to be going on in my life and that of my fellow. There were romantic entanglements within the student body and with the locals - though there was certainly no "The Graduate" Mrs. Anderson-type of thing - and personality clashes and blossoming friendships. I have vivid recollections from my time abroad of seeing and experiencing events that caused my mind to hearken back to this movie repeatedly.The fact that this movie is so intertwined with my experience is, actually, what speaks out to me most. For me, the movie somehow captured the oddity of the overseas experience; that going far away from home forced us closer to ourselves. It prompted honest and clear introspection and, through that process, maturation. Time and again, I participated in or witnessed deep heartfelt and thoughtful conversations about personal development and insight that were almost entirely absent from what I had seen stateside. We discussed the ugly and the beautiful in people and saw both. Oddly, it built a durable sense of comradeship such that many of the friendships that began in Lux, as we called it, endured through the remainder or college and beyond.It is seemingly odd to attach so much meaning to a movie I saw only once and have never seen again but, actually, I think it is remarkable. I will say this, the movie put a lens on my experience that was very helpful to me.Putting aside the falsities that are inherent in any fictional enterprise, there is some essence of the truth of the overseas experience that is captured by this film that makes it worth viewing. Perhaps, it is the drama. That is what stands out. Passionate discussions in bars while surrounded by people who, to you, are speaking a foreign language."French Postcards" could be viewed as an existential allegory. We are separate and alone to a degree even in the midst of a crowd while simultaneously - in contrast to existentialism - the mere fact we are engaged in a dialog with another is proof that we are not alone. It is proof of a duality of aloneness and comradeship that makes up a person's life.Now that I got that off my chest, I want to get on Amazon or Netflix and see if I can lay hands on a copy to confirm the truth of my lamentations.
imdb-3663
This film is a must see for anyone who has ever been an American exchange student abroad. It perfectly captures the mixture of foreignness and familiar that is part and parcel of the exchange experience. The different types of approaches that one might have to an exchange year abroad are well illustrated.It is, by no means, a great film, but it continues to endure in my memory as a good representation of what my year in Brazil, broadly speaking, was like. Lots of attractive actors, beautiful scenes and a surprising amount of humorous and witty dialog.I have this on videotape, but the soundtrack has been changed from the original release and the subsequent showings on HBO. The most noticeable change is the opening scene on the bus. Madame Tessier is welcoming the new exchange students to France and tells them they need to immerse themselves in French culture and leave America behind. The bus driver, irritated with her prattling, pops in a tape of a band doing a French version of Do You Believe In Magic (The Lovin' Spoonful). It totally captures how American culture has infiltrated the world's cultures. In the videotape release they replace this song with some generic pop music. They must not have been willing to pay for the musical rights to the song. It's not quite as effective, but it is still a great start to a fun, romantic movie about coming of age in a foreign land.This truly is a delightful, lite film that will give you a 95 minute taste of living abroad. Rent it if you can and hope that it shows up on DVD sometime soon.
z_crito2001
Where we lived didn't get cable TV until Dec. 1980 and this is the first film I can recall seeing on cable TV. It's funny but I'm pretty sure I've probably only seen this film just once but I remember most of it till this day.Is this the best damn film ever made ? Uh, no. But this is just a sentimental one with me and I think if you see yourself in any or part of the characters in this film then you'll probably like it. And I think I saw myself in about two of them. I was even scheduled to take French 101 the next semester at school.I read the other reviews on this Web page and I vaguely remember what Valérie Quennessen looked like but it's coming back to me (That teeny-tiny picture on this film's main Web page helps too). She was the shorthaired French girl that looks like ‘Trois couleurs: Rouge' (1994) Irène Jacob (or is it the Blue one's Juliette Binoche? I'm not sure it's been a long time.) I did think at the time she was kind of snooty in her initial behavior toward the character that was interested in her. Give the guy a break; he was several thousand miles from home and had difficulty speaking the language !Note: Not only has miss Quennessen passed away but the only song I remember used in it Nicolette Larson's `Lotta Love', it seems she also passed away a couple of years ago.Does this film really deserve its low rating that the 60 or so people who saw it gave it? Heck, I'll give it a 7 or 8 out of 10 and I've never given a film a 10 rating yet.If you want to see this film then good luck. I've never seen it in a video store or for sale for that matter. It must be out of print.
If I ever see this thing again I'll write another comment on it. I'm curious if it's aged well.Also, for the few people who've commented on it – thanks. I think I would value the opinion of someone who saw something or anything worthwhile in this film.
`A fellow will remember a lot of things you wouldn't think he'd remember. You take me. One day, back in 1896, I was crossing over to Jersey on the ferry, and as we pulled out, there was another ferry pulling in, and on it there was a girl waiting to get off. A white dress she had on. She was carrying a white parasol. I only saw her for one second. She didn't see me at all, but I'll bet a month hasn't gone by since that I haven't thought of that girl.' -- Bernstein [Citizen Kane 1941].
critic2-2
This is a fun movie. It doesn't try to get any message across so it is easy on the eyes and brain. Everyone in the movie does a credible job. If you want to see a real beauty check out Valérie Quennessen (Toni). Also see "Summer Lovers" to see more of her. It is a shame that she has passed away. Check out "French Postcards" for a little French fun!
