"The Girl From Paris" is not a film the average person would likely watch. It's got subtitles, is very slow and deliberately paced and is about a young lady who abandons Paris to live and work on a farm. But it is a lovely film...one well worth seeing.
Sandrine (Mathilde Seigner) is on a farm owned by Adrien (Michel Serrault) when the film begins. She is looking it over and deciding whether or not to buy the place. So, instead of showing the steps leading up to Sandrine giving up her old life and moving to the farm, the film is more like a snapshot of her life...a small period in which she's already made the decision and has taken classes on agriculture. This is not a bad thing...just unusual that the context isn't important to the film.
As for the elderly Adrien, it's obvious early on that he isn't happy about selling and seems to have little interest nor regard for Sandrine and her new life. He seems, at best, indifferent or perhaps contemptuous of her decision. Slowly, however, through the course of the film the two become closer, as although he's sold the farm, he remains behind in his home while Sandrine lives in a nearby trailer.
Not surprisingly, as time passes, Sandrine and Adrien become a bit closer and he actually begins to talk...something he very rarely did earlier in the film. And, at times, her life is very tough as they live in a mountainous portion of the country....with lots of snow, cold and loneliness.
While none of this sounds exciting or wonderful, the film is very nice if you just accept it for what it is. Don't expect fireworks or romance or great depth....just see two people living their lives and, oddly, you will find that you care and enjoy these little moments.
By the way, I have some words of warning about the film. It is a no holds barred look at farm life. You see a pig brutally killed with lot of blood, several cows being killed and a goat having a stillbirth. It's not a film for the overly tender-hearted....but it is what farm life is often...the good and the ugly.
