This is a mood piece verging on Checkov-lite that lays out its effects like pieces of a jig-saw puzzle - the floor-standing clock prodigal with precious time, the scything, the hewing, the raising and lowering of the bridge, the local bus - and then assembles them meticulously and lovingly into a time-capsule of rural France. In the early seventies the writer director enjoyed a good run including a remarkable trio of consecutive splendour via La Horse, Le Chat and this one. Signoret and Delon represent not only different generations but different acting styles and what could have been a car crash of epic proportions is instead a bittersweet blend of heady wine that leaves a pleasant aftertaste. We have, of course, been here before - Goupi Mains rouge set the bar back in the days of the Occupation - but then we've been everywhere, Man, cinematically speaking and just because I've spent one April in Paris doesn't mean I'm replete and have no eyes to return. This is an exceptional film and almost fit to be mentioned in the same breath as Le Grand Chemin it certainly belongs in any self-respecting collection of French movies.

"The Widow Couderc" from 1971 is a moody, atmospheric piece set in the French countryside post-World War I, starring Alain Delon and Simone Signoret. An odd coupling considering Delon starred with so many va-va-va boom types. Nevertheless, their teaming works well.It is directed by Pierre Granier-Deferre.

Based on a novel by George Simenon, Signoret is the widow Tati, who runs the family farm. Her father-in-law lives with her. Across the way are her sister-in-law and husband, who hate her and would do anything to get the farm away from her. Living with them is their daughter Felicie, a young girl with an illegitimate baby.

One day a handsome stranger arrives in the area, and the widow hires him to do some work on a temporary basis. It's not long before they become lovers. Little does she know he is an escaped prisoner, Jean Lavigne. Jean notices the nubile Felicie, which makes the widow jealous. Jean and Felicie eventually become lovers as well.

However, anxious to get the farm, the widow's family wants anything on him that they can get, and encourage the father-in-law to talk and Felicie to snoop around.

This is a tragic story with a vivid look at both farm and village life, and we can see the life of the widow, which is all farm work, and the flippant youth dancing in the village. One gets the impression that her life has been nothing like this as married due to pregnancy, the baby died, and apparently she was raped by her father-in-law, who during the film tries to get into her room when she goes to bed. It also appears that sometimes she lets him in, which is indicative of her loneliness. The village women don't seem to know or want to know her, and when Jean moves in, there is a lot of gossip.

What sets this film apart is the detail of the farm work and life in the village and the spare dialogue. I can't see the pace of this going over well with American audiences. The build up is slow; the final scenes are devastating.

Signoret is excellent as a vulnerable woman with a tough exterior, protecting her farm as well as herself. Delon is wonderful as a quiet man who inveigles himself into the life of Signoret. I was so happy when he shaved the mustache. When he goes to the village dance, all spiffed up with no mustache, wearing a suit jacket, and with his hair slicked back, he looks like an Italian Vogue model. There is certainly something about the way he smokes a cigarette and tosses it away - he indeed is the essence of smooth and cool.

The end has something written about Jean Lavigne that is so convoluted - I would love to know what it actually said.

Highly recommended. Someone said the companion film on the Delon disc, Diabolically Yours, is better. Can't agree. This film is superior.

"La Veuve Couderc" comes on a disc that also includes one of Alain Delon's very best films, "Diaboliquement Vôtre"-- truly terrific suspense film. While "Le Veuve Couderc" is not nearly as good, as long as you're watching one of the films, you may as well watch the other. However, just be forewarned that "Le Veuve Couderc" is MUCH slower and may be too slow for some audiences.

The film begins with a middle-aged woman (Simon Signoret) being assisted by a traveler (Alain Delon) to carry her new incubator back to the farm. He asks if she has more work and she hires him without knowing more about the man. The widow turns out to be a rather sad character with a sad past--though she doesn't dwell on this. She also has some in-laws that give her no end of trouble. What about Delon? See the film and find out more about the stranger.

As I mentioned above, the film is pretty slow. It's well acted BUT perhaps the acting is, at times, a bit too muted. I would have loved some more energy in the film. This doesn't mean you shouldn't watch. It also didn't help that you didn't feel much connection with the characters.

By the way, although you probably won't care, the history teacher in me was a bit annoyed because Félicie's hairstyle is NOT period--she looked to be from much later. It's a little thing but I am surprised they didn't catch this.