Marius et Jeannette

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Marius et Jeannette is a 1997 French film directed by Robert Guédiguian. It won the Louis Delluc Prize and the César Award for Best Actress, and received César nominations for Best Film, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Most Promising Actress and Best Writing.

[edit] Plot

Marius and Jeannette live in the same working-class apartment complex in Marseille, in close proximity with their neighbours. The lame Marius is a security guard at an abandoned cement works, and since the company has gone out of business and the plant will soon be demolished, he is squatting in order to save money. Jeannette is a single mother raising her two children on her own on a meagre supermarket checkout operator salary. They meet when Jeannette tries to steal two cans of paint from the cement lot, and Marius catches her and tries to chase her. The following day Marius comes to her door to apologize, bring her the two cans of paint. A relationship soon develops between them, but as both have been wounded by marital difficulties, and life in general, they are hesitant to become committed. It doesn't help that Jeannette's romanitc fantasy notions are different from Marius' practical ideas. The two must learn how to love again in order for their relationship to blossom.