Vu sur France 3, Cinéma de minuit, soirée Romy Schneider.
Entirely dialogued by Duras...
Good thing it's played by Piccoli and Schneider (who managed quite well her "annoying" character).
The subject and sides, even though I was from the beginning sold to one, are interesting in this less melodramatic rendition of it than usual. The movie doesn't forget to interrogate the society, showing the media exploitation, the mass's opinions falling into moral judgement of the "mother", etc. The degradation of the central couple over this obsession is also a joy to watch, them tearing each other apart...
The only thing forgotten in those tense 80mn is the child himself: the 6 years old boy seems devoid of any thought, rarely showing an ounce of desire despite being visibly attached to his foster father.
Unless it's part of the movie's speech:
You're not his mother.
- Yes, I am ! It's mine !
(A way to show the makers' true allegiance?)
Cold city (Berlin) filmed in B&W, and cold bare interiors to go with it.
Score: 6/10
Enjoyment: 4/5