Douce (Love Story)

Filmed in 1943, Autant-Lara's Douce (English title: Love Story) made it to American screens six years later. Overshadowed by his later works, Douce nonetheless has much to offer for the director's legions of devotees. The title character, played by Odette Joyeaux, is a young girl of wealth growing up in her lavish family estate in the late 19th century. Douce is hopelessly in love with the estate's much-older manager Fabien Marani (Roger Pigaut). Her starry-eyed illusions are ripe for shattering, and Douce's insanely jealous governess (Madeline Robinson) is just the person to do this "service." ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi