The Proprietor (1996)

Synopsis: Ismail Merchant, the producing half of the Merchant Ivory team, takes up the directing duties in this delightful tale of a woman's rediscovery of her childhood happiness. Legendary French film actress Jeanne Moreau stars as Parisian Adrienne Mark, a famous expatriate author. Adrienne has... Ismail Merchant, the producing half of the Merchant Ivory team, takes up the directing duties in this delightful tale of a woman's rediscovery of her childhood happiness. Legendary French film actress Jeanne Moreau stars as Parisian Adrienne Mark, a famous expatriate author. Adrienne has lived in New York for years with her supportive housekeeper Milly (Nell Carter). However, when she discovers that the Paris apartment she grew up in is about to be auctioned, she sells many of her valuables to art dealer Harry Bancroft (Sam Waterston) and plans a pilgrimage back to her homeland in the hopes of buying back her childhood home. Back in the City of Lights, Adrienne is forced to confront some very dark memories, including those of her mother being taken away by the Nazis. Sean Young is a movie producer hoping to get Adrienne's approval for a film remake of one of her books, and Josh Hamilton is a young American admirer who follows Adrienne to France. In the 1990s, Merchant met Moreau at a party and was inspired to make a film for her to star in. This is the touching realization of that idea--a lighthearted homage to Paris. [More]