Cocktail Molotov

Diane Kurys made some good films in the 70's and 80's, but this isn't one of them. It's five years after the events of Diabolo-menthe, Kurys's first film, and Anne is about 18. She wants to get away from her devouring mother and live the life of a kibbutznik in Israel. It's the spring of 1968 and France is in chaos from the student uprisings, which she only half-supports.

Anne and her two school pals get only as far as Northern Italy, where their car is stolen. Short of cash, they must get back home to Paris, where another reality awaits her--she's pregnant. Simple story, no great interest in the telling of it. Elise Caron, who plays Anne, has a strong resemblance to Brian Jones, and she's not much of an actress. Francois Cluzet is very good as the smarter one of her pals. If you want a good Kurys film, try Coup de foudre or the really superb La Baule-les-Pins, which has one of Nathalie Baye's best performances.