7.2
France, 1963. Anne is a bright young student with a promising future ahead of her. But when she falls pregnant, she sees the opportunity to finish her studies and escape the constraints of her social background disappearing. With her final exams fast approaching and her belly growing, Anne resolves to act, even if she has to confront shame and pain, even if she must risk prison to do so.
Anamaria Vartolomei
Anne Duchesne
Kacey Mottet Klein
Jean
Luàna Bajrami
Hélène
Louise Orry-Diquéro
Brigitte
Pio Marmaï
Pr. Bornec
Sandrine Bonnaire
Gabrielle Duchesne
Cyril Metzger
Gaspard
Anna Mouglalis
Madame Rivière
Fabrizio Rongione
Dr. Ravinsky
Julien Frison
Maxime
Alice de Lencquesaing
Laëtitia
François Loriquet
Dr. Guimet
Louise Chevillotte
Olivia
Leonor Oberson
Claire
Louis Bédot
Pompier
Isabelle Mazin
Magda
Eric Verdin
Jacques Duchesne
Édouard Sulpice
Patrick
Leïla Muse
Céline
Madeleine Baudot
Lise
Mélodie Adda
Flea Market Student
Caroline Marcos
Student Cité U Shower
Lucile Beaudouin
Student Cité U Shower
Director, Screenplay
Audrey Diwan
Novel
Annie Ernaux
Screenplay
Marcia Romano
April 24, 2022
6
"Anne" (Anamaria Vartolomei) is a young student studying to be a teacher, when she starts to feel stomach cramps. A visit to the doctor reveals that she is pregnant and the remainder of this drama relates to her decision not to have the baby. That's quite a stance to take in 1960s France where, much like in most of the rest of Europe, abortion is illegal, dangerous - and costly! It was an one-night-stand with "Max" (Julien Frison) that led to her condition, so she goes to visit him to see if he can help, but that's not much use and she finds herself largely alone trying to raise the money needed whilst her natural pre-occupation causes her grades to suffer. Much of the buildup to this autobiographical story is nothing special, to be honest; but for the last twenty minutes it becomes actually quite compelling. It reminded me of Imelda Staunton's excellent "Vera Drake" (2004). Not since then have I seen a film that openly deals with the dangers of backstreet abortions, of the stigma attached to those people who this who saw this as their only practical solution - and Vartolomei delivers her part confidently in what is essentially a strong, single-handed, performance that is quite effective at drawing us into her predicament and at making us think.