A few years ago The BFI showed a season of the films of Claude Sautet. It proved to be a revelation to many who were unfamiliar with his work. I seem to recall that 'Mado' was the one about which members were less inclined to enthuse. The comparative paucity of reviews on IMDB would seem to reinforce that view. Speaking as an avowed devotee of Sautet's work I am the first to admit that this is not one of his best. I would even concede that it is a misfire, to which all good directors are occasionally prone. The material does not really justify a running time of two hours and it takes an age to get going. There are also far too many uninteresting and extraneous characters. It concerns a man who is under tremendous financial strain after the suicide of his business partner. Help comes from an unexpected source but everything comes at a price and not only financial! Michel Piccoli, who found international fame in Sautet's 'Les Choses de ma Vie' is here working with him for the fourth time. His performance as Simon is riveting and is probably the reason one sticks with the film. One of Sautet's strengths is in intimate scenes and Piccoli is ably complemented in these by Ottavia Piccolo, Charles Denner and the magical Romy Schneider whose all too brief appearance leaves us wanting more which is always the mark of a great star. There are many of course who would have gone to see this precisely because of Schneider's participation so one can readily appreciate their disappointment at the smallness of her role, however effective. There is an excellent cameo by Claude Dauphin whose artistry marks him out as one of the Old School. Good writing from Claude Neron and a fine score by Philippe Sarde. I would certainly not recommend this film unreservedly to those who are coming to Sautet for the first time as this might deter them from discovering his many cinematic gems which would be a disservice to both them and Sautet!
