(1993) 4 Todd Kristel This downbeat character drama may be too slow-paced and elliptical for some people's taste, but it contains enough strong performances and compelling scenes to satisfy patient viewers who don't mind the surfeit of ponderous dialogue. My Favorite Season is more successful at uncovering the characters' hidden feelings and motivations through their actions, expressions, awkward silences, and sudden outbursts than through the content of their philosophical musings, which tend to be rather long on screen time and short on humor. The movie includes beautiful footage of Southern France, but the visuals aren't ostentatious or distracting; indeed, Techine makes particularly good use of spare, ordinary settings with an appropriately stifling atmosphere. The film's greatest asset, however, is the generally first-rate acting. Catherine Deneuve's subtle portrayal of Emile may seem at first glance to be too inexpressive and remote to reveal her character's inner life, but her performance is much looser than some of her famous "ice queen" roles of the past. She manages to convey the underlying sadness behind Emile's reserved demeanor, and even seems emotionally naked in a few scenes that display the mixture of anger, guilt, and love that she feels toward both her mother and brother. Daniel Auteuil does a superb job as her brother, Antoine. The character's self-loathing and possessiveness may be off-putting, but Auteuil manages to humanize Antoine by conveying his deep sense of longing and unease, particularly through his expressive use of his eyes; furthermore, he contributes some humor to this mostly dour film in a particularly memorable scene in which he considers jumping from a window. Martha Villalonga also demonstrates some humor in her spot-on performance as their caustic mother, Berthe, and the rest of the supporting cast does a fine job, although the subplot involving a Moroccan secretary (Carmen Chaplin) doesn't contribute much to the film.

cast-crew for My Favorite Season on AllMovie

My Favorite Season (1993)

rate it

My Favorite Season

editor rating

user rating

flags

Adult Situations
Not For Children

genres

Drama

sub-genres

category

Feature

alternate title

Ma Saison Préférée

directed by

André Téchiné

countries

France

released

1993

run time

125 min.

produced by

Canal Plus, Cofimage 4, D.A. Films, Filmopolis Pictures, Films Alain Sarde, Investimage 4, Sofica Creations, TF1 Films

released by

AMLF

Submit corrections

cast

Catherine Deneuve: Emilie

Daniel Auteuil: Antoine

Marthe Villalonga: Berthe

Jean-Pierre Bouvier: Bruno

Chiara Mastroianni: Anne

Carmen Chaplin: Khadija

Ingrid Caven: Woman at bar

Bruno Todeschini: Man at Hospital

Jacques Nolot: Man at Cemetery

Jean Bousquet: Emilie's Father

Michèle Moretti: Manager of Home

Roschdy Zem: Medhi

crew

André Téchiné: Director, Screenwriter
Alain Sarde: Producer
Pascal Bonitzer: Screenwriter
Thierry Arbogast: Cinematographer
Philippe Sarde: Composer (Music Score)
Martine Giordano: Editor
Claire Fraisse: Costume Designer
Philippe Hubin: Special Effects
Denis Bergonhe: First Assistant Director
Cedric Gerard: Makeup