MovieChat Forums > Beau-père (1981) Discussion > does anybody think that what Remi did wa...

does anybody think that what Remi did was bad?

posted 15 years ago by ta86
15 replies | jump to latest

I think that it was pretty nasty of him to have immediately fell for the single mother pianist. It seems like he took advantage of Marion. It was obvious that she loved him. Or did he leave Marion because of guilt as suspected by Charly who was Marion's biological father? I mean he should be more responsible for what he did. Just saying that I will come to you everytime you need me is simply a nice way of ditching her, which I think is really mean. He wasn't being a good stepfather in looking after her. He promised to Charly that he would look after her and watch over the boys who are going to come and hit on his daughter. Instead he has sex with her and tells her to go get someone her own age. What is that suppose to mean? Remi didn't make a good point about why he shouldn't be having sex with Marion simply because she was too young. He never seemed to mention to Marion that it is inappropriate for a step father to be doing that with his own step daughter. I didn't hear that even once. But with the persistent advances from Marion he eventually gave in (well she is a very attractive girl).

[–] sndform 15 years ago

It's nice to finally see some posts regarding this film.

Yes, I also have always been very bothered by how easily Remi seemed to fall in love with the pianist. Controversial as it may have been, I did get the impression that Remi had truly come to love Marion. Then again, he was also constantly torn by the guilt over the fact that he was in a sexual relationship with his dead lover's 14 year-old daughter - so perhaps transfering his "love" so readily as a way to end the relationship was the best way he could see to doing what he felt was best for Marian. Trying to get Marion interested in other boys was really a way to get Marion to end the relationship herself, but it hadn't worked as Marion hadn't fallen for the ruse and Remi had only gotten jealous even though it was what he had wanted to happen.

To tell you the truth- I've always wondered why Marion fell so hopelessly in love with Remi- he was a total loser in just about every way.

[–] gradientrobot 15 years ago

I agree with sndform, specially the last statement.

[–] sndform 15 years ago

Thank you, gradienbot. As I said before, it's really nice to see some action regarding this film. I saw it about 10 years ago and thought it was very well-made. I've watched it several times and I really like the film even though I've never cared for the character of Remi.

Another reason I've never understood why Marion loved him so much is that I've never considered the actor playing the part that attractive. In fact, I always thought he was somewhat wimpy looking - but then that's just my opinion. I'm sure there must be fans who think he's really hot.

[–] ta86 14 years ago

if he ditched her because he really loves her like what you said, then he must have hurted Marion so badly by simply pushing her away like this. I mean he did slept with Marion already so this appears rather more like he's done with her. If he truly loves her then he'd best continue the relationship and see whether Marion will eventually grow out of this "love" or not.

[–] foxxyboxes 13 years ago

That's a really good point. I'd never thought of the possiblity that Remi was trying to get Marion to end the relationship; it now makes sense. But I wonder, what really drove him to end it? I don't believe for one second that he loved Charlotte; it seemed more like a gradeschool crush where they connect over the same interests. Marion, on the other hand, understood him and seemed to better fit into his life; after all, she'd always been part of it. The whole switch from Marion to Charlotte always bothered me. Marion was aware of his feelings and gave him up, which I think was too kind after he had used her. I think she truly loved him, and I think he loved her back. I just can't figure why he would throw that away to be with Charlotte. It does make him a contemptible character, doesn't it? And yet, I still liked him, if only because he was a very human (flawed) character that cared for Marion, though he sure didn't act like it in the end. Definetly a thought-provoking film. Shame it's so underrated!

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[–] SanSanSan 11 years ago

To tell you the truth- I've always wondered why Marion fell so hopelessly in love with Remi- he was a total loser in just about every way.

Well, that's simple--because that's how Bertrand Blier, a misogynistic pig, wrote it. The whole thing is pure wank fantasy from beginning to the end. Mom killed off in the first three minutes, dad disposed off after a perfunctory little scuffle, and the little girl is just totally MAD about the guy, incapable of thinking of anything else (even her grades suffer)... Please.

It would be hilarious if it weren't just a tad too grotesque, and so bloody offensive.

[–] rozklad 11 years ago

So young girls never get crazy feelings for totally inappropriate guys? ...Please.

The whole point of the movie is that Remi is a total loser, completely out of his depth, and his step-daughter is way more mature than he is. Offensive? Why? To whom? I'd like to know, and anyway, what's wrong with being offensive?

[–] drxcreatures 15 years ago

I agree, that he could have made much better, on his points.

He may not be able to control himself? Nice Stepdad!

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[–] ta86 14 years ago

I saw this film for the second time again today and I think that Remi was such an ass. Yes, he may have felt guilty for what he did, but still ditching Marion like that and openly telling her how he feels for Charlotte (the single mother pianist) just made me dislike him, I mean what a jerk and him trying to hide the fact that he's a pianist too (unsuccessful one). I'm surprised how the relationship ended so "smoothly" between Remi and Marion. I mean Marion kinda let it go easily too. I know it is disturbing enough for a step father to be in this kind of relationship with his own stepdaughter, but his treatment towards Marion disturbed me even more (e.g. he told Marion, oh only if you've knew how much I love you, but he went to enjoy tea with Charlotte for the whole afternoon). Felt bad for Marion, she truly loved Remi, who happens to be a total jerk. That must have hurt badly.

[–] sndform 14 years ago

Yes, I'm sure Marion was devistated inside, yet she was also extremly mature - far more so than Remi, the "adult" in the relationship. I think she let go so easily because she came to the realization of just how juvenile Remi really was. My gosh, she was even earning the money for food.

[–] ta86 14 years ago

Makes me wonder how come Charlotte is following the same path along? don't you think? The ending was kinda haunting, the little girl seeing Charlotte and Remi in bed together. Is the movie trying to hint that history might repeat itself?

[–] sndform 14 years ago

I read a review of this film once and that was the opinion of the critic,but I think you will have to decide for yourself if the ending scene is a foreshadow of the future or not.

[–] 14 years ago

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[–] jbaker1-2 11 years ago

I can't really fault Remi too much for entering into the relationship to begin with. Marion is a lovely girl, after all, and she did do everything in her power to try to seduce him. I do think, though, that how he chose to end the affair was more than a little callous. As another poster pointed out, better perhaps, or at least kinder, to continue the relationship for a while and hope she outgrows her infatuation. And there's the point. I don't think Remi hopes she will outgrow it as much as he's afraid she won't. To say that Remi is irresponsible would be an understatement. The opening scenes make it clear that Martine was more or less supporting him, and he survives after her death more by the charity of his friends than by his own efforts. I'm sure Remi genuinely cares for Marion, but in the end, it isn't about his feelings for her or even about his guilt over his actions. Ultimately, it comes down to the fact that Remi simply isn't mature enough to handle a relationship where he has to be the responsible one. He wants someone to take care of him, not someone he has to take care of.

To give Remi credit where it's due, he resisted Marion's advances for longer than most guys probably would have. I was 28 years old in 1981 - about Remi's age or a little younger - and if I'd come home and found Ariel Besse naked in my bed, that would have been it. <G>

[–] scndform 10 years ago

jnaker hit the nail on the head. Remi and Marion both come to the inevitable realization that Remi is never going to be responsible in any manner in any relationship he will ever have- and when the other partner in the relationship is only 14 and far more mature than the 30 year-old, well..... suffice it to say Remi is going to pretty much relive his life with Marion's mother only this time with the piano player. Fortunately, I have no problem picturing Marion a few years down the road in a healthy relationship with someone truly worthy of her.