A perfect example of boulevard theater! Here's cinema star Andrea Ferreol ("The Last Metro," second lead, for example) as wife to long-familiar theatrical lead Andre Falcon (a Comedie-Francaise Societaire Honoraire) in their posh home, when a stranger appears and asks to use the phone. It's snowing, he's had an auto emergency and, as he remarks (looking as sinister as gaunt Tom Novembre can) they're in isolated country. After daughter and son join the couple, there still seems to be a problem getting help. They're all apprehensive but ask Fabrice to stay and even offer him drink, food, and keep questioning him in the guise of conversation in between odd calls by and to him. It seems he's been leaving his wife, though hesitantly, as he cares about his daughter. With gusto, the family enters into his decision making, to the point of acting out scenarios. A twist occurs when Fabrice is joined by his paramour, flirty Eva (stacked Laurence D'Amelio), and a kind of group therapy ensues where things hidden are revealed. The ending is predictable, but like the performances, enjoyable.
The play is the first by the longtime director of Air Inter. It shows he's learned a lot about popular entertainment. With its unity of time, place, and action, without an intermission, it could be adapted well for television.
