Two English Girls

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Cast

Jean-Pierre Léaud
as Claude

Kika Markham
as Anne

Stacey Tendeter
as Muriel Brown

Sylvia Marriott
as Mrs. Brown

Marie Mansart
as Mme. Roc, Claire

Philippe Leotard
as Diurka

Annie Miller
as Monique de Monferrand

Christine Pellé
as Claude's Secretary

Guillaume Schiffman
as Children

François Truffaut
as Narrator

Sophie Baker
as Friend in Cafe

Marcel Berbert
as Art Dealer

Jean-Claude Dolbert
as English Policeman

René Gaillart
as Taxi Driver

Marie Irakane
as Maid

Sophie Jeanne
as Clarisse

Anne Levaslot
as Muriel as a Child

Jeanne Lobre
as Jeanne

Mathieu Schiffman
as Child

Eva Truffaut
as Child

Georges Delerue
as Claude's Business Agent

David Markham
as Palmist

Mark Peterson
as Mr. Flint

Irène Tunc
as Ruta

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Critic Reviews for Two English Girls (Les deux Anglaises et le continent)

Audience Reviews for Two English Girls (Les deux Anglaises et le continent)

• Sep 28, 2010

  "Two English Girls" has obvious ties with "Jules and Jim," the well-known classic which preceded it by nine years. Both are directed by Francois Truffaut. Both are adapted from novels by Henri-Pierre Roche. And both concern love triangles (two women and a man in one, two men and a woman in the other). But "Jules and Jim" was contemporary, while "Two English Girls" is set in the early 1900s. Claude (Jean-Pierre Leaud, inevitably) becomes friends with an Englishwoman named Anne (Kika Markham), and is invited to stay at her family's mansion. There, she introduces him to her younger, redheaded sister Muriel (Stacey Tendeter). Anne is warm and open, while Muriel is serious and religious. Muriel also has a recurring problem with sensitive eyes, which never quite becomes the crucial plot point that we anticipate. This does give her an excuse to wear tinted little sunglasses that give her a modern, Bohemian flair -- not a bad marketing move for the year 1971. The three become close friends. Anne initially tries to play matchmaker for Muriel and Claude, but both sisters end up falling for him. Time passes, and feelings swish back and forth between the trio. Claude eventually has an affair with Anne in Paris, but the bond between him and Muriel always seems deeper. There is little rivalry between the sisters -- just a sense of them wanting to politely avoid hurting each other. But Anne continually tortures herself with repression and self-denial. None of the characters are particularly likable, and It's clear that their story must end sadly. "Two English Girls" is a beautiful, languid film which stretches to 124 minutes without caring much whether every scene moves the plot forward. This is not an unpleasant tactic, however, and it only makes the story flow more naturally. Granted, the refined atmosphere is somewhat prissy -- the most intense feelings are communicated with letters rather than face-to-face confrontations -- but some late, passionate sex helps roughen up the tone. Another deviance occurs around the 90-minute mark, when Muriel makes an extended confession about masturbation that, for better or worse, seems wildly out of place. It's hard to even watch with a straight face -- especially given that Tendeter is not much of an actress. Truffaut's delicate touch stays out of the story's way, except for one odd move: his frequent use of iris shots to conclude scenes. It's a rather unsubtle way to emphasize the nostalgic setting, and I wish he had made a less jarring choice. But "Two English Girls" is among his best films, all the same.
  

  Eric B Super Reviewer
• Jul 02, 2008

  The director's cut is one of Truffaut's best. A masterpiece and one of my favorite films.
  Anthony V Super Reviewer
• Apr 11, 2007

  Lots for Truffaut fans to appreciate. All of the director's obsessions are in play.
  Tom S Super Reviewer

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