The presence of screen icon Catherine Deneuve elevates Martin Provost's mawkish melodrama, in which she plays a dying woman who seeks out her estranged quasi-stepdaughter to make amends. Deneuve's Béatrice is actually a supporting character; the true protagonist is Claire (Catherine Frot), who has worked for years as a midwife in a small Parisian clinic. Béatrice is the free-spirited mistress whose sudden departure years before caused Claire's father to commit suicide, but she is unaware of his death and now that she is terminally ill with brain cancer wants to reconnect. Thus begins a halting rapprochement between the two women, with Béatrice having an immense impact on the uptight Claire. Although Claire remains something of a scold, her prim attitude gradually breaks down, and she even begins a relationship with an earthy truck driver. Deneuve and Frot make a strong team, and even though The Midwife is just a slight tale of a woman who breaks free of a stifling life as a result of an unexpected encounter with her past, it offers the opportunity to watch two fine actresses joust. And for some that will be more than enough. A strong optional purchase. (F. Swietek)
The Midwife
Music Box, 117 min., in French w/English subtitles, not rated, DVD: $29.99 Volume 33, Issue 1
The Midwife
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