I Sent a Letter to My Love (1980)

I Sent a Letter to My Love (Chère inconnue) is a showcase for three talented actors. Simone Signoret (Diabolique, Room at the Top, The Army of Shadows) and Jean Rochefort (The Hairdresser’s Husband, Ridicule, Man on the Train) play a brother and sister living out their lives together in their deceased parent’s home that overlooks the beach on the coast of Brittany. Gilles, the brother, has been confined to a wheelchair since childhood and Louise, his sister, has grown old looking after him. Gilles is a bit of a slob and Louise resents having to clean up after him all the time which leads to continuous bickering. They are visited every day by their only friend, Yvette (Delphine Seyrig – Last Year at Marienbad, The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie), though at times she is the victim of their irascibility. Like Louise, she seems destined to remain a spinster. When Gilles has a brief but serious bout of ill health, Louise realizes that she’ll be left alone if Gilles should pass away. She puts a notice in the local personals column seeking a pen pal in hopes of finding a husband. When she receives a letter, which turns out to be from her brother and in which he pours his heart out, Louise starts being more compassionate towards her brother. Things get complicated, however, as they begin corresponding regularly and Gille insists on meeting in person with the intention of entering a physical relationship. The plot device may be overly familiar but the situation makes the outcome unpredictable and intriguing.

★★★★★★★☆☆☆ (7/10)

I Sent a Letter to My Love at imdb.com

I Sent a Letter to My Love is available on a Region 2 DVD from Amazon.fr and also streaming on Odnoklassniki.