''Arlette'' is a 1997 French comedy-romance film directed by

Claude Zidi Claude Zidi (born 25 July 1934) is a French film director and screenwriter noted for his mainstream burlesque comedies. Born in Paris, he started as a cameraman and then a cinematographer, and he made his directorial and screenwriting debut in 1 ...

Plot

Arlette is a waitress at the "Centipede", a roadside restaurant in the middle of rural France. Loudmouth at the heart while rather romantic, she dreams of getting married but Victor, her boyfriend, a lorry driver, does not want to hear about it. One day, a charming prince, Frank, an American millionaire, arrives at the Centipede in a white limousine. Claiming to be depressed after his girlfriend's death, he seeks for Arlette's help and starts to seduce her with gifts and charming words. He eventually offers to take her to Las Vegas to marry her. But what is this seductive playboy truly after?

Cast

Josiane Balasko Josiane Balasko (born Josiane Balašković; 15 April 1950) is a French actress, writer, and director. She has been nominated seven times for César Awards, and won twice. Career One of Balasko's most recognized roles among English speakers is ...

as Arlette Bathiat *

Christopher Lambert Christophe Guy Denis Lambert (; ; born March 29, 1957), commonly known as Christopher Lambert, is a French-American actor, producer, and writer. He started his career playing supporting parts in several French films, and became internationally f ...

as Frank Martin *

Ennio Fantastichini Ennio Fantastichini (20 February 1955 – 1 December 2018) was an Italian actor. Life and career Born in Gallese, province of Viterbo, Fantastichini studied acting at the Accademia Nazionale di Arte Drammatica Silvio D'Amico. His breakout role ...

as Angelo Mascarpone *

Stéphane Audran Stéphane Audran (born Colette Suzanne Jeannine Dacheville; 8 November 1932 – 27 March 2018) was a French film actress. She was known for her performances in the films of her husband Claude Chabrol, including '' Les Biches'' (1968) and '' Le Bou ...

as Diane *

Jean-Marie Bigard Jean-Marie Bigard (; born 17 May 1954) is a French comedian and actor. Known for his often controversial humour, he has performed at some of the largest entertainment facilities in France, including the Paris-Bercy Arena and Stade de France. Big ...

as Victor *

Armelle Armelle (born 23 July 1969 as Armelle Leśniak) is a French actress, comedian and screenwriter. Life and career After studies in Khâgne, she works as a costume-aid. Trained by Jean Périmony, her atypical physique and her personality do not ...

as Lucie *

Martin Lamotte Martin Lamotte (; born 2 June 1947) is a French actor, comedian and director. He participated in several films alongside Le Splendid. He is most known for his role on the TV Series "SoeurThérèse.com" and "Nos chers voisins". Filmography ...

as The Chief * Ronny Coutteure as Arlette's boss *

Jean-Pierre Castaldi Jean-Pierre Castaldi (born 1 October 1944) is a French actor. He is the father of French TV presenter and radio host Benjamin Castaldi. On stage Filmography Television 2000–2002 : Host of '' Fort Boyard'' References {{DEF ...

as Lulu * France Zobda as Samantha *

Jean-Claude Bouillon Jean-Claude Bouillon (27 December 1941 – 31 July 2017) was a French actor. He appeared in more than eighty films from 1966 until 2015. Filmography References Footnotes Sources * External links * {{DEFAULTSORT:Bouillon, Jean-Clau ...

as The host *

Bouli Lanners Philippe "Bouli" Lanners (born 20 May 1965) is a Belgian actor, author and film director. His film '' The Giants'' was nominated for twelve Magritte Awards, winning five, including Best Film and Best Director. Biography Lanners was born on 2 ...

as Emile *

Jed Allan Jed Allan Brown (March 1, 1935 – March 9, 2019), known professionally as Jed Allan, was an American actor and television host, best known as C.C. Capwell on '' Santa Barbara'', Don Craig on ''Days of Our Lives'', Rush Sanders on ' ...

as Wide *

Mathieu Demy Mathieu Demy (born 15 October 1972) is a French actor, film director, and producer. He is the son of French film directors Agnès Varda and Jacques Demy. Career Demy started as a young actor in Agnès Varda's films ''L'une chante, l'autre pas'' ...

as Julien * Arno Chevrier as Mickey * Tony Librizzi as Riri * Pascal Benezech as Nanard * Lionel Robert as Marcel * Justin Hubbard as David Gafferson * Isabelle Leprince as Brigitte * David Fresco as Assler * Renée Lee as Doris * Junior Ray as Goliath * Patrick Bordier as The monk * Jacques Le Carpentier as The big guy

Reception

''Arlette'' opened in third place at the French box office with a gross of $1.7 million from 333 screens.

References

External links

* * 1997 films 1997 romantic comedy films French romantic comedy films 1990s French-language films Films produced by Claude Berri Films directed by Claude Zidi 1990s French films Foreign films set in the United States French-language romantic comedy films {{1990s-comedy-film-stub