Yesterday was my Tadpole free evening and so I clambered aboard the number 26 bus and took myself off to the cinema at the Bassin de la Villette. There I bought a ticket (tarif chomeur, for now) and slunk into the café to scavenge for something filling to wolf down beforehand, imperative if I was to curb my tummy’s protests for the duration of the film. I fancied a panini, maybe a toastissimo, something warm and crunchy oozing carbs and cheesy cholesterol. But it was not to be. Instead, safe in the knowledge that they were protected by a pane of glass, an unappetising array of cold sandwiches and tired salads gave me the finger.
For a moment I wished I was in England, where stop-gap food can be something of an art form. In France, snacking is an activity so frowned upon that little is done to encourage it. In the case of the Mk2 cinema, the dire quality of the café fare can probably also be attributed to the fact that next door, in the same complex, is a proper, pricey restaurant with real cutlery, porcelain plates and glassware. The ploy almost worked, but time was short, my film due to start in twenty minutes, and last time I ate there, the service was nonchalant, to say the least.
I made off, dejectedly, with a slice of reheated goat’s cheese pizza on a paper plate, a plastic knife and fork, and sat on the terrasse watching a gimmicky little boat ferry people between the two cinemas on opposite banks of the canal St Martin.
The food may have disappointed, but the film was pure delight. A gem. I laughed out loud until tears rolled down my cheeks. I vowed never to enter Tadpole in a beauty pageant. I cringed and squirmed thoughout the “superfreak” dance routine, hands clapped over my mouth to stifle my whimpering.
As the credits rolled there were cheers and a spontaneous burst of applause. I joined in, grinning widely, exchanged a “c’était génial, hein?” with a complete stranger.
They may not be much cop at snack food, but the French really do know how to appreciate a film. Together.
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It is a very funny film isn’t it, and really rather moving too. There was a round of applause at the end here (Geneva) as well. I couldn’t decide whether it was because I’d seen it in a little independent cinema (where maybe applause is the done thing?), or because it really was that good. Your experience at the MK2 would suggest the latter I guess.
Comment by flechesbleues — September 27, 2006 @ 11:03 am
The only time I have experienced that in the UK is at a film festival. It is one of my pet peeves that British people leave the cinema – in silence – as soon as the credits roll.
I feel like shouting at them “Do you not realise that hundreds of people gave up their lives, their families, their sanity and sleep, for the better part of a year, just so that you could watch this and enjoy it?”
Of course, no-one (in the UK anyway) really cares about the work that went into a film; it’s whether it is good or not, that matters. But that still doesn’t let them off not applauding I reckon…
Comment by The Girl — September 27, 2006 @ 11:10 am
i loved it too. so many perfect little moments. “go hug mom” was one of my favourites too.
Comment by nancy — September 27, 2006 @ 12:10 pm
Ooo er, The Girl has popped up!! I am without access to her site at the moment as work has blocked access, sent me a threatening email saying that is is ‘ADULT MATERIAL/PORNOGRAPHIC’ and said they’ll contact HR re. disciplinary action should I attempt to access it again.
Boo sucks.
Comment by David In London — September 27, 2006 @ 12:20 pm
I laughed out loud at that film and found it moving too. Had Toni Colette et al been present I would have applauded long and enthusiastically. I have seen applause in cinemas in London eg for Strictly Ballroom and The Full Monty, but this is unusual. We applaud at live performances to express our appreciation of the performers who are actually there to receive that appreciation.
The Girl, I too get peeved with audiences who leave films (usually not in silence) when the credits are rolling. I find those long lists of people involved in making a film fascinating and I always watch to the end. I like to see what music was used, the locations, the acknowledgements etc It is my way of appreciating all the people involved and it’s also extra time to absorb the film and my feelings about it. Sometimes little nuggets are shown at the end eg in The Motorcycle Diaries we were shown what the main characters in the film were doing now – of a packed cinema I was one of maybe 10 people who saw that.
Comment by Jude — September 27, 2006 @ 12:36 pm
I find it difficult to sit through a film.. don’t know why…hyperactive perhaps..
Comment by simon — September 27, 2006 @ 12:42 pm
I agree with The Girl – all those behind-the-scenes people who worked so hard, and all they get are their names on display for a few seconds while the credits roll, and very few seem to want to pay any attention.
Last time we went to the cinema, it was to see the latest Pixar offering ‘Cars’. You would have thought that people would know by now that the closing credits are packed full of little, priceless, snippets, but, no. Instead everyone left straight away – leaving us in peace to enjoy them alone, but having to put up with glares from the staff who couldn’t clear up the mess with us staying put. Which we did.
Thanks for writing this blog, Petite. Sometimes you recount a Tadpole moment, and I am transported back in time to when my own two were her age – moments that I haven’t forgotten exactly, just not remembered for a while. I trust that you will be bringing out a book for me to put on my shelf next to Tom Reynolds’ ‘Blood, Sweat and Tea’ and Zinnia Cyclamen’s eagerly awaited book!
Comment by Deirdre — September 27, 2006 @ 1:58 pm
i loved loved loved the film! saw it at the arts cinema in cambridge & i don’t think i’ve ever heard an audience laugh out loud so much right through a film. it was a great experience to share the emotions & simply to enjoy the film with others. i left mascara streaked & beaming!
Comment by kelly — September 27, 2006 @ 2:02 pm
This had me laughing aloud too. I like that. I think it summed up the obscenity of those beauty pageants called quite perfectly – and actually quite subtly. Glad you liked it too. (And isn’t it nice going to the cinema alone? Even without popcorn)
Comment by grannyp — September 27, 2006 @ 2:28 pm
Ohhh I love goats cheese pizza.
If you really want French disdain of English eating habits – you should have seen the face of my Father in law, a Périgordin and proud of it, as I put lashings of salt and vinegar on my chips. I’ve heard that he also hates people who smother tomato ketchup everywhere. Oh… and as for kids eating pâtes…
The real “give the finger at the French” is getting a French friend or in-law to try HP Sauce. I’ve been here for over 9 years and am yet to find someone here who likes it… I think that’ll be an impossible task. :)
Comment by Braunstonian — September 27, 2006 @ 2:47 pm
Peut-etre que M. C’était Genial te reconnaissait?
Comment by fjl — September 27, 2006 @ 2:52 pm
A thoroughly enjoyable, moving, thoughtful film. Unfortunately, over here the audience was rather small, making it difficult to share appreciation – anyway, I suspect this is not something people do easily at the movies in this part of the world.
Comment by ontario frog — September 27, 2006 @ 3:08 pm
What was the name of the film? I love French films.
Comment by Elle — September 27, 2006 @ 3:12 pm
I’ve witnessed (and joined in with) applause on a number of occasions in UK cinemas. But then, I usually go to the smaller, independent cinemas and see smaller, independent films.
I don’t imagine you get much applause at multiplexes…
Comment by anxious — September 27, 2006 @ 3:22 pm
I have been to a film in Britain where there was General applause, Girl – it was Last Night, the 1998 Canadian film by Don McKellar at the Cornerhouse cinema in Manchester.
And everyone, everyone in the cinema applauded, then after the final credit and the screen went black, walked out of the theatre and up three flights of stairs in complete silence. All you could hear was people coming out of this trance and going ‘Wow’, and ‘Fucking hell’ and similar noises.
God I love that film.
Sorry, P’tite, not seen ‘Sunshine yet. Will tell an equally glowing thing about that when I have.
Comment by anna — September 27, 2006 @ 3:47 pm
That was such a great movie. Everyone applauded in our theater, too. :)
Comment by Alison — September 27, 2006 @ 4:29 pm
Hello Petite,
Just to let the readers know that the Canal between the two MK2 is called Canal de l’Ourcq. Great is the view from the boat that links the two MK2.
By the way, as this is my first comment, your blog is great. I discovered it at the time of the “affair” and have been reading it regularly until now.
Your blog should be sponsored by Mairie de Paris as a promotion for the XIX and XX arrondissements!
Comment by David — September 27, 2006 @ 4:51 pm
My French friends used to appreciate the fact that some Outpost snacks look so much like ‘proper’ food, and you even get (plastic) cuttlery with them…
Comment by Loxias — September 27, 2006 @ 4:59 pm
I remember I went to watch Scream 3 in France years ago – it was my first experience of the cinema in France – and there was applause at the end. For Pirates of the Caribbean 2 there was a standing ovation in the UGC Les Halles. After everyone had applauded most of the people sat back down to watch the credits and then the extra scene at the end. The French really do the cinema in style, and I have noticed on news bulletins every Wednesday they talk about the new releases. I don’t remember that happening on mainstream news bulletins in the UK (except for the blockbusters)
Comment by Cheria — September 27, 2006 @ 5:00 pm
LOVED Little Miss Sunshine… I was impatient to see it as I’m already a fan of Toni Collette and Greg Kinnear, and the movie really did not fail to please. I too laughed out loud numerous times and yet also found it heart-wrenching.
It really reminded me of the insanity of my own American culture at times, when it comes to ridiculous things like beauty pageants, and then the poignancy of the little, wacky things a family can share, even if they seem to have a hard time putting up with each other on the whole!
Comment by Always Ace — September 27, 2006 @ 5:01 pm
“I cringed and squirmed thoughout the “superfreak” dance routine, hands clapped over my mouth to stifle my whimpering.”
Me too. Isn’t it just a wonderful film?
Although I’ll have youknow that in the Cornerhouse in Manchester there was also some sared audience appreciation, in the form of a round of applause and some smiles of approval across the aisle with a stranger. So ner. ;o)
Comment by Clare — September 27, 2006 @ 5:01 pm
I absolutely howled at “Little Miss Sunshine.” This was a film of pure delight, though it was ironic that it was released around the time of the arrest made here in the Jon Benet Ramsey case. The casting was perfect, and the scene that I loved was when they left the gas (petrol) station…….and realized they left someone behind. The hospital scene was hysterical also…..
Even if you don’t have kids, you can appreciate the absurdity of it all…….
Comment by Dave of the Lake — September 27, 2006 @ 5:28 pm
The few times I’ve experienced spontaneous applause in UK cinemas were all at the late night show at the St Andrews New Picture House – so I’m not sure how much was true cinematic appreciation and how much was largered up laddishness.
French cinema audiences do tend to vocalise their pleasure (or otherwise) more – although the prat who cheered everytime Jonny Depp spoke in Pirates of the Caribeen 2 was lucky not to get a hearty slap…
You weren’t tempted by a huge vat of popcorn and then cursing as you try to eat it silently, Petite?
Comment by sas — September 27, 2006 @ 5:30 pm
Forgot to ask: Was the film in French, or English with French subtitles?
Comment by Dave of the Lake — September 27, 2006 @ 5:31 pm
Delightful. Your comments about French snackery reminded me of the English writer* whose reaction to a French cafe opening in London under the name of ‘Bonjour Croissant’ was the desire to open an English one in Paris called ‘Hello Toast’.
*Sorry, can’t remember the name. Someone famous.
Comment by James — September 27, 2006 @ 5:43 pm
That film is a treasure. I reccomended it to all my friends who remained dubious until I told them it made my husband laugh so hard he snorted. No further convincing was required. Petite, I love your blog!
Comment by Lara — September 27, 2006 @ 5:45 pm
I saw this movie in the same theater (to me, taking the boat to reach the opposite bank is now as exciting as watching the previews) about 2 weeks ago, and people applaused at the end, too, which made the experience even better.
I really enjoy seeing movies there because it seems to me that (although there are a lot of bobos, or maybe because of it) people there react to the movies. I saw La science des rêves at Bercy village, and it seemed to my friends and I that we were the only ones cheering at the end of this beautiful movie, which it quite frustrating. Different cinema, different area, different mood.
Comment by pardonmyfrench — September 27, 2006 @ 5:52 pm
Braunstonian, have you ever tried them on Marmite? When I visit friends in Bordeaux I take them some especially so that they can use it to amuse their friends. Dire tales of what the British will do to bread.
Films. There are, as observed here, brits that watch the credits and applaud and exchange opinion at the end. The problem often is getting to see something decent.
This Place is good. http://www.realinstitute.org/ honest
Comment by meredic — September 27, 2006 @ 6:04 pm
Dave – I never, never watch dubbed films. One of my greatest fears about moving to Rennes was the lack of cinemas showing films in Version Originale
Other David – very inconsiderate of the Canal to change its name half way along and trip me up, but yes you are right, that stretch has a different name
Comment by petite — September 27, 2006 @ 6:58 pm
At least you had some choice of food. When I go to the cinema tonight, I am afraid, I will have the choice of ice cream bars, candy bars and stale sugared popcorn.
Comment by Lost in France — September 27, 2006 @ 7:11 pm
Hi Petite
Your site was recently recommended by a friend and, despite starting my own business a couple of weeks ago, I’ve felt compelled to read your entire archive during every spare moment. Thank you – I’ve enjoyed it so much, mainly for the beautiful prose, but also because our lives seem so similar at times – if you squint Cardiff has a lot of Parisian qualities.
By the way the new business is an accountancy firm and I’d be happy to give you a job. You could blog about us all you want – you’d still be more productive than the staff i’ve inherited.
thanks again – I’d like to make a donation, do you accept Paypal or are Ikea vouchers preferable?
Comment by Ms M — September 27, 2006 @ 7:50 pm
LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sorry, but I went to see that on Monday and I absolutely LOVED it!!
Comment by Whisper — September 27, 2006 @ 7:54 pm
I’ve taken paypal down since the book stuff, but the link to my host, a small orange, accepts paypal donations towards my hosting costs.
Comment by petite — September 27, 2006 @ 7:55 pm
Oh, and petite, have you ever eaten ostrich sausages? Is that quite common in France? I know its random, but there was a French market thing in Glasgow on Saturday and I spent a good while sampling the food. At the sausage stall they had things like venison, wild boar and ostrich in sausages. And to my knowledge that doesnt exist over here. Razapple was very nice, small but good. And the best scence in Miss S was when the horn kept going off. Followed by when grampa got lifted out the window. And I dont know why but i really liked Uncle Frank.
Comment by Whisper — September 27, 2006 @ 8:04 pm
I LOVED Little Miss Sunshine, laughed so hard I snorted. The U.S. audience I was watching the film with did applaud at the end of the film – which is a rare thing in my personal experience and, therefore, pretty impressive.
Well, almost everyone applauded. The woman behind us in the theater had a little girl (perhaps 5 years old) who spent the entire film asking perfectly reasonable questions… things like “What is he doing?” when Grandpa is snorting coke at the beginning of the film. That woman rushed out of the theater pretty quickly. I didn’t expect her to stay for the whole film, but the 5 year old’s observations (she, fortunately, seemd to have a limited grasp on the racier content) made for an interesting addition to my movie-going experience.
I love your blog. Not at all surprised that you liked the film so well.
Comment by Marisa — September 27, 2006 @ 9:12 pm
I got used to being able to have “proper snacks” in Germany so much that I tend to feel somehow “insulted” if I come across parts of the world where they are not available. As if someone was robbing me of my freedom, my rights to…wellbeing, I don’t know :-)
They don’t offer any “real” salads in Sweden, for example, at least not in the parts I have been to so far and it’s a terrible feeling, cause I don’t like Mc Donalds and Co. and so I mostly preferred to stay hungry :-( as an alternative…
Comment by alcessa — September 27, 2006 @ 10:16 pm
I was on a plane a couple of weeks ago and they showed an Australian film called “Kenny”. It was one of those comedies that you feared would be lame and hackneyed – after all just how many jokes can you get out of mockumentary about a man who worked in a port-a-loo business? Much to everyone’s delight it was hysterical. I’ve never been on a plane before where everyone laughed, repeatedly. So much so, that after various crackers, passengers would turn to some stranger near them and make eye contact, needing to share the gem with another being.
But just how that film would go down amongst the cool French, I don’t know!
Comment by another outspoken female — September 28, 2006 @ 1:47 am
I thought it was only Americans who applauded at the end of a film in a cinema – I’ve never experienced it anywhere else I’ve watched a movie in a theater – France, England, Taiwan. I used to think it rather strange as I thought the whole point of applause was to let live performers know that their work was appreciated. There have been movies I’ve seen where somehow it seemed appropriate though. Never happens when watching at home – it’s something that only kicks in when there’s a group experience.
Comment by AlmostAmerican — September 28, 2006 @ 2:00 am
“Well, almost everyone applauded. The woman behind us in the theater had a little girl (perhaps 5 years old) who spent the entire film asking perfectly reasonable questions… things like “What is he doing?” when Grandpa is snorting coke at the beginning of the film. That woman rushed out of the theater pretty quickly.”
She took a 5 year old to that!!!! Jeez, that is so foolish……..Btw, he was snorting heroin, not coke…..
Comment by Dave of the Lake — September 28, 2006 @ 7:56 am
Post 36 – alcessa
At least in France you have the boulangerie…
Comment by Braunstonian — September 28, 2006 @ 9:26 am
Oh, I see, you’ve explained it for me now, Dave of the Lake, I haven’t seen the film and I thought the man was snorting Coca Cola as in Petite snorting apple juice. How dumb can you get. Not much dumber than me I guess! Must get to see this film soon.
Comment by Susannah — September 28, 2006 @ 9:53 am
Well, I’m glad to see I am not the only one who absolutely loved the film! Petite, thank you for keeping your blog alive, makes me feel there are a bunch of very decent people out there.
Comment by V. — September 28, 2006 @ 10:00 am
An enjoyable little comedy, was actually somewhat disappointed after the rave reviews in Telerama and the like. Could have done without some of Grandpa’s crude remarks. Last time at Mk2 wandered the length and breadth of the place looking for a place to rest the weary legs. Who was I kidding?
Comment by SW France — September 28, 2006 @ 10:12 am
I loved the film too. However, my enjoyment was slightly marred by the fact that I took my 2 boys (10 and 11 years old) to see it too. Admittedly, I should have looked at the film rating in Britain before taking them, but then again I thought it would make a nice change from Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, etc … Worse still was the fact that we invited a friend of my eldest son to see it too. I spent all the film what I was going to tell her parents on our return. Well, it was a film about a heroine snorting, sex maniac grandfather, a suicidal homosexual uncle, a bankrupt “winner” for a father, … I’ll leave the rest out to not spoil the film for others ! Great film. Go see.
Comment by Jim in Yvelines — September 28, 2006 @ 11:24 am
Great film – with more than a touch of ‘Sideways’ in there.
The miserable teenager and suicidal uncle made the film for me. And I quite liked the grandfather, too.
Perhaps the ending was just a little too syrupy ‘feelgood’, just for the sake of it, though ? But that’s Hollywood.
Comment by roadsofstone — September 28, 2006 @ 12:32 pm
I thought of you and Tadpole this morning when I saw a car with one of those “baby on board” signs in the back window. Except this one said, “Naughty person on board”, and had Mr Naughty on it.
Comment by Damian — September 28, 2006 @ 1:07 pm
How funny! I also watched Little Miss Sunshine last night in Paris. But it seemed like me and my other Canadian counterparts were the only ones in the whole theatre laughing. Perhaps much of it was lost in the translation (French subtitles), as we got quite a few strange looks for roaring with laughter.
When are you going to post about the juicy/exciting details of your book deal??? Please don’t leave us all in suspense :)
Comment by Just Dazzle — September 28, 2006 @ 1:34 pm
I wasn’t planning to write about it as such. I’ll let the media speculate away instead. It’s more fun.
Comment by petite — September 28, 2006 @ 1:42 pm
Hey. Your blog’s really cool. Could you give me any tipcs on how to better mine?
Comment by Emma — September 28, 2006 @ 2:30 pm
These comments have made me curious and I decided to check out our local cinemas – and Little Miss Sunshine doesn’t start in Germany until 30th November!! Then I have to pray that the local “Originalfassung” cinema (“local” roughly translates as 50km from me) is running it at all, otherwise there’s no option but to watch the dubbed version (generally dreadful, especially if it’s a comedy), buy the DVD or fly to England. Oh well, sounds like the film’s worth the trip… :-)
Comment by LaiLou — September 28, 2006 @ 2:40 pm
Nice speculation. If that’s the real number, then congratulations, no, it deserves more than that, CONGRATULATIONS!
Comment by Damian — September 28, 2006 @ 2:43 pm
Come now, Miss Anglaise. Methinks you’re double bluffing us. Methinks that you have actually got more than the figure being bandied around in the press, but are actually playing it down to less than said figure so as to not appear immodest. That probably (almost) makes you a dollar millionairess, n’est-ce pas?
Comment by David In London — September 28, 2006 @ 3:41 pm
What about the persistent claims about a film being made out of your life, petite? Would you really want it?
Just wondering…
Post 40 – Braunstonian: yes, the boulangerie is usually the place to go. The only time I went to one in France I got a delicious tarte aux pommes with an even better cappuccino…
Comment by alcessa — September 28, 2006 @ 4:11 pm
At first I was embarassed that I was wrong about what Grandpa was snorting… but, then again, I guess it’s not really a bad thing that I am naive about drugs, right?
In the States, movie theaters have huge concession stands that sell overpriced junk food – soda, boxes of candy, butter drenched popcorn and nachos with “processed imitation cheese sauce.” Some theaters offer coffee or bottled water, but mostly it’s junk. I can’t imagine that the convenience / snack food at the cinema in other countries is worse than this!
Comment by Marisa — September 28, 2006 @ 4:38 pm
I think I’m the only person on the planet that thought this movie was overhyped. In the end, I didn’t laugh too hard, and couldn’t get past how uncomfortable the beauty pagent made me… Hm. But, uh, Glad to see everyone else enjoyed it!
Comment by Emily — September 28, 2006 @ 5:41 pm
A film of petite’s life…? Now there’s an idea. Wonder who would star in it? Would you play yourself, petite? Imagine the fun you could have casting the, er, “male lead(s)”…
Comment by suziboo — September 28, 2006 @ 6:18 pm
How’s about this?
Gwyneth Paltrow as Petite, putting on her oft brought out English accent (obviously).
Vincent Cassel as Mr Frog, though I must say every time I picture him he looks like Antoine de Caunes!!
Whut do you seenk mah eeengleeesh choomes?
Ha ha, this is fun!
Comment by David In London — September 28, 2006 @ 6:58 pm
Oh god, don’t! It’s too surreal and I can’t cope… It will probably never happen anyway, pure speculation.
Comment by petite — September 28, 2006 @ 7:01 pm
Sorry..
Comment by David In London — September 28, 2006 @ 7:11 pm
Re: Snacking
Sorry to change the subject somewhat, but why does Atac only sell mentos at the checkout? Where is the wall of Mars and Twix? My heart yearns for junk food so as a stop gap I’m killing it with unpasturised cheese.
Comment by Hugo Carr — September 28, 2006 @ 7:17 pm
Will definitely go and watch this film…been 2 years since I went to the cinema! Thanks for the pointer!
BTW, for a really gorgeous (and healthy, not really the objective of snack but hey) stopgap, try a galette (sort of crepe made of buckwheat flour) with *goats cheese* and *honey*; it is a real treat, I promise – wouldn’t believe my husband until I tried it for myself; great for breakfast too! Have finally found something to replace godawful packet cereals…
Comment by Lucy-Jane — September 28, 2006 @ 11:35 pm
I don’t mind being in your film if you want.
Comment by JonnyB — September 28, 2006 @ 11:38 pm
Congrats on the contract with Penquin!
Ah, it must be a relief financially and wonderful as well to be able to do something you love.
Comment by jersey girl (that's New Jersey, USA) — September 29, 2006 @ 12:13 am
I should add that I have been in a film before. I was ‘man being interfered with in shower’. So I would be ideal if there is a part like this, although I could do other parts as well so not to get typecast.
Comment by JonnyB — September 29, 2006 @ 12:48 am
If you like that kind of audience, it’s worth making the effort to see a film the first night in Paris. The audiences are a lot of fun.
And congratulations!
Comment by Sedulia — September 29, 2006 @ 12:50 am
hmmm … the film hasn’t seemed to make it to Toulouse.
Comment by Lost in France — September 29, 2006 @ 1:16 am
Congrats on the book deal (in itself it’s great news, a good payout is surely just a bonus). Here’s a small ego boost, I pointed a friend of mine to petiteanglaise.com and her words were “very inspiring”. Me myself I think it’s great too.
Oh off on hols near Nantes, next week, anyone have any reccomdations?
Comment by Clapin — September 29, 2006 @ 2:27 am
Not sure I would like to see this film.. I was one of those “kids” that did the eistedfords plus ballet (reasonable enough to get into New York Ballet), modern, tap, pop, etc etc…. its not far from those beauty pagents
i think I would cringe. :o(
Comment by simon — September 29, 2006 @ 4:52 am
*scratches her head and wonders how to write JonnyB (being interfered with in the shower) into the book*
Book one is a memoir, Jonny. That means it has to be true. So pop over on the Eurostar and I’ll see what I can do.
Comment by petite — September 29, 2006 @ 8:59 am
I stumbled upon the press speculation link accindentally yesterday, before it was posted here. I mentioned it to my girlfriend. Now she wants me to marry Petite! I think her motives may be financial…
Comment by Hywel Mallett — September 29, 2006 @ 1:22 pm
I’ll be watching out for the golddiggers…
Comment by petite — September 29, 2006 @ 1:29 pm
“Gwyneth Paltrow as Petite, putting on her oft brought out English accent (obviously).
Vincent Cassel as Mr Frog, though I must say every time I picture him he looks like Antoine de Caunes!!”
…….and Jean Reno as her (ex) boss……….;-)
Comment by Dave of the Lake — September 29, 2006 @ 3:49 pm
The Eurostar does not run from Norfolk, stupid. I will have to go to Norwich International and get a plane.
Comment by JonnyB — September 29, 2006 @ 4:43 pm
“stupid” indeed? Treat ’em mean and keep ’em keen doesn’t work well on sophisticated Parisian women such as myself, you know.
Comment by petite — September 29, 2006 @ 4:47 pm
Wise man stay away from the Eurostar, now promoting itself as the tunnel of love with spermatozoon baked beans. I can never look at a full-English again. New catch phrase pending ‘beanz means …’?
Comment by fibsor — September 29, 2006 @ 6:41 pm
Whatever you do, please please please not Vincent Cassel and his fake “frenchman-for-the-americans” act. Anyway, not for the part of anybody who is supposed to be even remotely endearing. Pretty please?
Comment by V. — October 1, 2006 @ 9:49 am
Vincent Cassel is a very good actor! Have you seen him in ‘La Haine’?
Comment by David In London — October 1, 2006 @ 6:34 pm
Petite does not rate Gwyneth Paltrow so we’ll just have to get Kelly Reilly to play her. Can she do a Yorkshire accent?
Comment by Parkin Pig — October 2, 2006 @ 10:32 am
Have you ever noticed that in the cafés in Paris: the more expensive they are the less customer services you get? Maybe it’s part of the French paradox! ;-)
Comment by Robin — October 3, 2006 @ 2:20 pm
meredic :
Personally I can’t stand Marmite, but I have an English friend who had lived in Paris for over 20 years that loves to dip twiglets into a pot of the stuff.
As he can’t get either delicacies in Paris (or he has to look hard and pay a fortune for them) I usually bring him back his prefered snack from the UK whenever I’m over.
Now that’s something else that would make FIL cringe, and put more huile de noix into his soup. :)
Comment by Braunstonian — October 5, 2006 @ 10:17 am
alcessa:
My gf makes a lovely tarte aux pommes, complete with compote under the slices… :)
Comment by Braunstonian — October 5, 2006 @ 10:20 am
Eurostar:
From a totally selfish point of view – I’ll be happy after 2007, when it will terminate at what is now St Pancras.
For me, it’ll mean a change of platform for my onward train, rather than the slog I currently have to make through the London Underground with all my bags from/to Waterloo.
Comment by Braunstonian — October 5, 2006 @ 10:23 am
Braunstonian: Should we be talking about delicious food so much? Is this en vogue at all? (unfortunately, I don’t know much about diets althought I should :-)
Compote under the slices…
Comment by alcessa — October 5, 2006 @ 12:00 pm