MovieChat Forums > À tout de suite (2004) Discussion > Isild Le Besco is easy on the eyes ...

Isild Le Besco is easy on the eyes ...

posted 19 years ago by SONNYK_USA
14 replies | jump to latest

The good news (for guys) is that rising French actress Isild Le Besco ("The Cost of Living") is shaping up to be France's answer to American starlet Scarlett Johansson. Both actesses are alike physically with their long blonde hair and full lips, but Isild is far less shy when it comes to full back and/or frontal nudity.

The bad news is that this practically dialogue-free excursion into the life of criminals on the run is only compelling if you remind yourself that this film based on a true story. Otherwise, the coupling of Le Besco's unnamed character with a young Moroccan has little chemistry if any.

Set in the 70's, director Benoit Jacquot has shot in B&W to make his use of archive footage seem less obtrusive, but the marked contrast between the worn newsreels as his crystal clear photography negates that subterfuge. Plus none of the actors seems to have any sensiblility of the period either, probably since many of them weren't even born in the 70's.

Story revolves around a 19 year old art student (Le Besco) who meets a guy in a bar and falls immediately for his Moroccan friend. She learns later (on the TV news) that both men are bank robbers so she does what any teenager in love would do - she goes with them. Action moves from France to Spain, then Morocco and Greece. On paper you'd think this film would move along fluidly but depending on your identification with the characters this could be the longest 96 min. of your life.

The film does get interesting in the last reel when the heroine realizes the error of her ways just after a sexual spree revealed in some explicit sex scenes with both a lesbian and two men in a 'menage a trois'.

[–] buff-29 19 years ago

I agree with the above except for the part about the film getting interesting in the last reel. Not for me it didn't. Le Besco is a dish, but all that pouting didn't add up to a performance for me. I enjoyed seeing her naked.

[–] Gcarpenter04 19 years ago

I totally disagree ith your comparison of Le Besco with Johansson. Le Besco has, to put it bluntly, a very unattractive face. It's simply off balance, and her fetures are horrendous. Johansson, on the other hand, has perfect facial structure.

I loved the film, and her in the film as well; she was amazing. But, she simply is not good looking.

[–] SONNYK_USA 19 years ago

Mairde!!! Vous insultez Isild! Zee French goddess! In zee name of her director-boyfriend I fart in your general direction!!! Peasant Americain!

(just kidding)

I have no idea what her face looks like since I missed the screening she introduced, but I just thought those inflated lips looked a lot like Scarlet's. Too bad Scarlet doesn't do nudity, we may never get a true boob comparison!

[–] raivan354 19 years ago

PS, my female date apologized profusely for bringing me to see this lame piece of boring garbage. She also leaned over during the movie to as me if I agreed with her that Isild Le Besco is ugly. By the end of the film, I had to agree with her.

[–] emncaity 15 years ago

>> PS, my female date apologized profusely for bringing me to see this lame piece of boring garbage. She also leaned over during the movie to as me if I agreed with her that Isild Le Besco is ugly. By the end of the film, I had to agree with her. <<

Seriously? "By the end of the film"? Boy, do you need some training. Agree immediately next time. It makes things go better. ;-)

[–] raivan354 19 years ago

All Scarlett Johanssen and this french nothing have in common are full lips and an identical mumbling, morose, flat, irritating style of acting. And Le Besco isn't even a fraction as attractive as Scarlett, facially. Her willingness to show her best assets (that is, her T&A) is the only appealing thing about her Even then, as a sexual screen presence, she's as passionless in this film as a dead fish. The movie was a boring, ugly, interminable, horrible piece of MERDE.

[–] 19 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Juggle91 14 years ago

beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Wow, what a party! If it gets any livelier a funeral is gonna break out.

[–] l_builder 17 years ago

Whoa, I think you need glasses! LeBesco has a completely numb affect which creates a vacant face, monotone voice and lifeless acting. No matter if she has a killer bod this woman's hang dog presence couldn't breathe any life into this film, despite all the explicit sex.
Compared with Scarlett's vivacity, this woman is comatose. Lost in Translation had little dialogue or plot, but SJ sparkled in every scene. I doubt if a naked Isild could animate Bill Murray like a fully clothed Scarlett.

[–] kcship 17 years ago

I guess I would have to see her in a different movie because she was looking like a wore out crack ho in this one. But that could have been the intent with all the drama going on.

On a side note I wasn't a big fan of the movie. I found myself not caring at all about the story most of the time. It seemed like they were either screaming at each other or engaged in pointless dialog in way to many scenes. The rest of the time they all seemed to be lifeless.

[–] Falconeer 14 years ago

Her partner in crime, the Morroccan Oaussini Embarek, that she falls for, is extremely beautiful, not that i think you care about the guy in this film, OP... I'm just wondering if any others out there notice this..

[–] jcappy 14 years ago

Yes, in fact they both seem like models--in body types and looks. Perhaps this takes something away from them as actors, but i'm only half way through it (it is boring) so i cannot really say for sure.

[–] Falconeer 14 years ago

Yeah, the film is slow, and the let down is that Ouassini is only in the first half of the film. Still "A Tout De Suite" is a highly stylized film and a nice tribute to the French New Wave cinema. I like Ouassini so much that i found as many titles of his on the internet and bought them. It is hard to tell just how good an actor he is, as he seems to usually play quiet, brooding types. And he always seems to be a criminal. If you like this actor, i definitely can recommend "Children of the Stork." He is great in a very bizarre and sometimes funny film. This is an obscure title and hard to find, but if you can, check it out. Ouassini even has a part in the controversial film "Baise moi," although he isn't involved in any of the hardcore sex scenes, thankfully. anyway it's good to hear others say they appreciate this unique actor! thanks for the post..

[–] lazarillo 10 years ago

I wasn't previously familiar with Ouassini, but he's pretty good in this.

I have to disagree about Isild Le Besco. She's an artistic, unconventional beauty who doesn't look like anyone else. Johanssen looks like a Barbie doll. "Perfect facial structure" is pretty boring in my book. I think LeBesco is actually the better actress too--I've NEVER been that impressed with Johanssen.

I have to admit though every time I see LeBesco butt naked (usually at least once a movie) I completely forget what her face looks like and I immediately forgive her any shortcomings in her acting. Her body is incredible.