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?
No, he didn't tell me anything. Then a few months later, he sent me the novel. So I read it and I adored it. It is so well-written and beautiful. And the characters are all so powerful and strong. So I said yes to him a second time [laughs]. A few months later he began to adapt the screenplay and I said yes to him a third time!
Jeunet has said that when he met you, he immediately thought you would be perfect for the role of Mathilde. Did you feel the same immediate connection to the character when you read the novel and screenplay?
When I read the novel, I didn't think about me because I was so caught [up] in the story...There are thousands of different Mathildes out there. There are so many ways to be moved by this love [between Mathilde and her fiance], to refind someone you loved and lost. There are different ways to behave. But with Jean-Pierre's vision and his script, for him, I was the only who should play it. Jeunet was quoted as saying: "The ability that some have to see what others can't see or, more important, to not look at what all the world sees, is something that moves me deeply." That can be said for both Amelie and Mathilde. Did you see other similarities in the characters?
For me, it was very different. I never thought about finding similarities. But in Jeunet's [lead female] characters there are often some similar little things--they are often orphans, they are very reserved, they are lonesome, strong, and apart from the rest of the world. Mathilde is fighting against people. She is not in the same world with them.
What was the toughest part about playing Mathilde?
The toughest thing was to manage in the long run to keep this suffering inside, for more than just one scene. She is in almost the same mood for almost the whole time, but it's not justified [triggered] by a specific situation. It's a mood she is always feeling because her love is lost. It was difficult to feel that emotion without a concrete reason.
This film is much darker than "Amelie." Do you think it will resonate with audiences the way that film did?
I hope the movie will have a resonance because everyone worked very hard on the film. It's a very different movie than'"Amelie.' It brings a different side. It is a bit darker, though it is a love story.
French audiences seem to like it. I understand it had a bigger opening in France than "Amelie" did.
Yes, we were a bit anxious because it is the second movie with both of us. And usually the movie critics are much more severe the second time. Thankfully, we have gotten good reviews so far. I really think as many people will enjoy this film [as did 'Amelie']... I hope this movie will let them travel far in their minds, to dream for two hours.
You became very famous in 2001 with the success of "Amelie." How has your life changed since that film?
Fame is not the aspect of the job that I prefer. It's just a different way that people have to look at you. I don't think it's changed things for the people who are concerned [about me]. I don't have the same freedom as an anonymous person, but people are very nice to me.
Do you find it's very different in the United States?
New York is cooler. Much [fewer] people know me here and those who come up to me are very quick. They are not very intrusive.
Do you have any plans to make a movie in the United States? No, I don't have any plans.
Any interest?
Yes, I have the interest. But I don't know if Hollywood is interested in me.
Are there any directors in particular that you would want to work with?
Um, yes. But I am a bit superstitious so I like to keep these things to myself.
Do you have any interest in directing yourself one day?
Me? No. [laughs] I am not brave enough.
I doubt that. You're brave enough to face the U.S. media!
Yes, but I have to do that.
I understand you're now filming a French romantic comedy, "Russian Dolls," directed by Cedric Klapisch.
We have finished the filming, but I am not sure when it will come out. Maybe next June in France.
So what's next for you?
After this [movie] promotion, I don't know. In America, they do a lot of promotions, yeah? They never get holidays. But I am very French in my holidays. Now I take a break.