A Darker Love Story

Three years ago, Jean-Pierre Jeunet--then best-known to American audiences for directing "Alien 4"--released a quirky French film about a young Parisian waitress who helps bring happiness to those around her, then finds it herself. "Amelie" went on to become the world's most popular French film, grossing more than $152 million worldwide. Now the film's break-out star, Audrey Tautou, and Jeunet have reunited for another love story, though this one is decidedly darker.

Set against the backdrop of World War I, "A Very Long Engagement" stars the 26-year-old Tautou as Mathilde, a polio-stricken woman who refuses to believe--despite mounting evidence--that her fiance, Manech (one of five injured soldiers caught in the so-called "No Man's Land" between the French and German trenches) has been killed. The film, which is based on a 1991 novel by Sebastien Japrisot, follows Mathilde as she embarks on her own investigation to learn the fate of the man she loves with the help of a private detective, a well-connected lawyer, and the widows and lovers of other soldiers lost on the battlefield.

The film, which reportedly cost more than 45 million euros (nearly $60 million) to make, is one of the most expensive French movies ever produced. And it is already becoming one of the most popular. In its first week in France, "A Very Long Engagement" drew more than 1.6 million French fans--more than "Amelie" did in its first week. And critics have already begun buzzing about Academy Award nominations for the film, its director, and its star ("Amelie" was nominated for, but did not win, best foreign film, best screenplay, best photography, and best art direction). The movie opens across America on Nov. 26. NEWSWEEK's Jennifer Barrett Ozols spoke with Tautou, who has played everything from a Turkish chambermaid to a student-turned-psychotic-stalker in recent movies, about her newest role and her newfound fame. Excerpts:

NEWSWEEK: This is your second film with director Jean-Pierre Jeunet. How did it come about?

Audrey Tautou: The origin of this started at the Oscars [in 2002]. Two days before the awards ceremony, I was at a party and he asked if I would be OK with doing something else together. I said 'Yes! Whatever it is.'

You didn't even know what the role was then?