When the Cat's Away Reviews

• A Feel-good Film You Won't Hate

  
  By on 1999-07-06
  "When the Cat's Away," along with Eric Rohmer's "Summer," is one of the best movies about urban loneliness I've ever seen. As a resident of a Los Angeles apartment building in which I barely know people who live mere yards away, I can attest to the peculiar and ironic sense of alienation the heroine feels in her very crowded neighborhood. The director also nails a certain kind of funk that can happen in your late 20s, when bars and clubs are becoming boring, and the novelty of finally living on one's own has worn off. The movie makes a good case for simply getting out of your apartment and getting to know the people whom you have always just said a quick, impersonal "hello" to. The lead actress, who I've never seen before in a movie, is utterly charming and it's hard not to have a huge crush on her by the end of the film. The final shot of "When the Cat's Away," featuring perhaps the best use of a moving camera I've ever seen, is sublime. This film is another example of the saying that Americans make movies about how they wish people were, while the French make movies about the way people ARE.
  
  

• Hauntingly Beautiful

  
  By A1UET9W0UABTXT on 1999-12-14
  The haunting beauty of the crumbling 11th arrondissement of Paris is the perfect setting for this tale of loneliness. The washed out colors of the cinematography and serene beauty of Garance Clavel create a subtle water color painting of subdued longing and inner tragedy. I've never seen such a gentle film that had such compassion for its subjects. Perfect for a rainy afternoon full of the angst of a Portishead tune.
  
  

• A Study in Realisam

  
  By A13ZPQNYAWRII9 on 2000-07-11
  This is another study in realism from Cedric Klapisch, so real that it is impossible to say where the script ends and the fly-on-the-wall documentary takes over.The film traces a few days in the life of Chloe, a timorous, lonely, gawky young woman with soulful eyes, as she searches for her lost cat. The cat means a lot to her; it is the only thing in her life she has to love; whilst, at the same time, like all girls, she is yearning for something more; the love of a good man.

  Chloe is played by Garance Clabel who gives a very endearing performance; you feel for her; you want to love and protect her. Are all those men out there so blind that they cannot see what a treasure she is? One does, and follows her around and will do anything for her, almost to the point of sacrificing his life for her. But he is only a poor brain-damaged young man and not able to inspire love in the heart of any woman. Chloe likes him and is kind to him but that is all. She, after many experiences along the way, eventually finds love and her cat, but he, poor man, will end his life alone. As he says at the end, when he witnesses Chloe's new found happiness; "Life is not fair." You can say that again.

  This is a film about loneliness; loneliness in the poor inner-cities, where there is no sense of community and everyone is forced to live their lives in isolation, cut of from others and without any real friends. This is why so many people in the neighbourhood, hitherto complete strangers, are so willing to come together to search for Chloe's cat - because they are lonely and long for the company of others. And there are specific illustrations; the old woman who phones Chloe ostensibly to give her news about her cat, but who has no news; she just wants to talk to someone, to hear the sound of a human voice. And the lesbian barmaid who, when she makes a pass at Chloe and is rejected, walks off into the night with bowed head. And Chloe, who, in her desperation and misery, tries to seduce her homosexual flat-mate and fails.

  It is a sad film but, thankfully, with a happy ending - for Chloe anyway. The French always have good endings to their films. In this case we see Chloe running joyfully, elated and full of energy, the whole length of the street. And she is still running when the film ends.
  
  

• We are all looking for something...

  
  By on 1999-05-13
  This movie's title lost a lot in the translation. The original title, "Chacun cherche son chat," literally translates to "Each is looking for his/her cat." Now, although the translators were undoubtedly trying to present an English title that somewhat conveys the same meaning but still represents a proverb (the French title is an extract from a tongue-twister), they completely did away with the connection between the title and the point of the movie. This movie is not just about a girl "looking for her cat" - in fact, she's looking for a lot more - a relationship, stability, friendship, comfort... What's more, everyone she meets along the way, from a vivacious group of old ladies to a mentally handicapped neighbor, is also looking for something similar; each has a void that needs to be filled - "Each is looking for his cat." See the metaphor? Now, the question is, do they find what they are looking for? See for yourself. Without a doubt, this is one of the best films I have seen; I definitely recommend it to anyone with taste. It is both humorous and (at times) poignant, and just goes to show that a quality movie can stem even from a seemingly banal concept. Excellent!
  
  

• So true

  
  By A3IAH9A1SN9BN1 on 2001-06-26
  I first saw this movie when I was living in Paris as an exchange student and couldn't stop laughing. My apartment was down the street from the bar where they all hung out, and this movie couldn't be a more accurate portrayal of life in the Bastille. From the Pause cafe, to the clubs on Rue de Lappe where getting hit on is a way of life, to the old lady whom I've actually seen in athe neighborhood a few times, Cedric Klapisch just gets it right. Not only that, but here is this really pretty, seemingly perfect French girl and you find out she's still lonely. Yay! If you are obsessed with real French culture, and not just the books and the romance of the Seine, rent this movie.
  
  
• Sweet Surprise
  By A2PHOO3WUOBT76 on 2001-11-12
  I rented this video a long time ago and recently rented it again after I returned from my Paris vacation. It's a bittersweet slice of Parisian life that's not overly dramatic, intellectual or glamorous (you won't see Catherine Denueve in this one). A lovely but lonely young woman searches for her lost cat (metaphor for whatever it is you're searching for) with the help of her neighbors. I really enjoyed the lively discussions/interactions between the old and young residents...
  
  
• One of my most favorite movies ever
  By A388NJAACTBYOA on 2002-03-04
  This is such a wonderful portrait of Modern Paris, and a peep inside a great character's life. I needed to have this to watch on rainy (or sunny for that matter) days. Highly recommended especially if you like movies shot in Paris, movies about women coming of age, and films like Amelie. ENJOY!
  
  
• A Small Treasure
  By on 1998-10-01
  Charming and unprepossessing. This story about a isolated young woman who loses her cat yet who connects for the first time with her surroundings (in the Bastille quartier) while searching for it is a small treat. The writer and director, Cedric Klaspich, has assembled a wonderful group of actors who convincingly create a neighborhood community. He also manages to connect his simple story to larger observations about Paris's recent urban development and its changing ethnic composition without losing his light touch. And Garance Clavel, as the young woman forced to come out of her shell, perfectly compliments this film's discreet style: she doesn't seem very attractive or interesting at first yet she quietly becomes more winning and lovelier as we get to know her. Clavel doesn't do anything big or overly dramatic but allows her character to emerge through the small details of her performance - and the same could be said of the film. All in all, a lovely and understated work. END
  
  
• Fine atmosphere, but little else
  By A1JH5J1KQAUBMP on 2003-10-04
  When Chloe (Garance Clavel) goes on vacation, her cat goes missing. This slight plot provides our window into the world of a modern young Parisian woman and the neighborhood she inhabits. This film gets high marks for atmosphere, but I wanted more than that. I did not find the heroine to be as charming as many other reviewers have. On the contrary, I thought she was rather self-involved and shallow. At one point, she can't even be troubled to have a five-minute phone conversation with one of the network of old ladies who is helping to search for her cat and who is clearly calling out of sheer loneliness. At the end of the film, I didn't feel like she had changed or learned anything, leaving me to wonder why I had been watching her for the past two hours. I was touched by the character of Djamel (Zinedine Soualem), the sad, slow-witted man who develops a crush on Chloe./
  
  
• PT Anderson says its a great film
  By AQEUYERXRQ5OD on 2000-02-15
  OK... so I haven't seen this film. But, I was recently watching 'independant focus' on IFC and none other than the great director Paul Thomas Anderson was on. Anyways... he talked about this film and how much he lovedit, and that it was a major inspiration for 'Magnolia'. Being a huge fan of his, I can't wait to see this film. So... all you PT fans pick this one up!
  
  
• c'est ci bon
  By A23RCIZ7WBY0FD on 1999-08-20
  Oh let me tell you, this movie is so neat, in fact, it's more than a movie, it is a film. It is wonderful and poignant.
  
  
• DISCOVERING YOURSELF
  By A84UFSF2SZS2W on 2001-06-10
  A shy but lovely young French girl lives in Paris with her gay friend. He gets lucky often. She doesn't. She seldom meets anyone, and she has a relatively calm and inhibited life. She goes on vacation and leaves her beloved cat with an elderly neighbour lady. And this is when the cat goes missing. Over the ensuing weeks, the girl and her neighbours and friends assemble to search for the cat, but during this time her life begins to change. She begins to see herself differently and see the relationships around her differently. In a sense it seems as though she begins to feel free. She has a casual affair with a man whom she keeps running into around the city only to find out that he is already involved with someone, and this event, while not devastating, makes her realise somehow that she should take notice of things that might be right before her eyes. Eventually her cat is found-stuck somehow behind the old lady's stove. Not classic film material, but it is watchable and entertaining.
  
  
• A Miniature Masterpiece
  By A3S7BY4L4JXG9 on 2006-04-24
  This is a wonderful film, which succeeds on so many levels. Garence Clabel stars as "Chloe", a young Parisian trying to make it in the hip world as a makeup artist on high fashion photoshoots. She is truly lonely as she haunts the "in" spots with their never-ending stream of shallow, empty people. At the same time, she is totally oblivious to her very ordinary, if diverse, neighbors in the working-class Parisian neighborhood where she lives. About to leave on a vacation, Chloe's roommate suddenly reneges on his promise to take care of her cat, "Gris-Gris", while she is gone. In desperation, she turns to an elderly neighborhood woman, recommended by one of her faceless neighbors, who agrees to watch her cat.
  Alas, while Chloe is gone, Gris-Gris escapes. When she returns, she is horrified to find out that her one real companion in the world is missing, and she embarks upon a mission to find it. Of necessity, this causes Chloe to get to know her neighborhood and her neighbors, many of whom assist her in her search effort. As a result, she finally interacts with real, rather than vacuous, people and gets to know them. It is a voyage of discovery for Chloe, and, although there are bumps along the way, it turns into a very positive experience.
  While Chloe's personal journey continues, the director also shows us, in a subtle, non-preachy way, how her neighborhood is changing, and threatened by, gentrification.
  The ending of the movie is remarkable, and one I never tire of seeing.
  This is the kind of movie that the French make better than anyone else: A small, seemingly-inconsequential story about an average, seemingly-inconsequential person, which writer-director Cedric Klapisch makes into an exquisite, tiny masterpiece.
  
  
• Awesome Musical Score!
  By A3O7PL58B5S3SB on 2000-06-24
  The music in this film is as diverse as it is brilliant. Chopin, French rap, African rhythm and Al Green; Need I say more. How can I get the musical score?
  
  
• about the soundtrack
  By A1UET9W0UABTXT on 2000-07-20
  I've already written a review for this film and wanted to concur with many reviewers that it did have a beautiful soundtrack. I looked for months for the CD in the US without succes but was finally able to buy it from a Swiss online vendor at planetelaser.com. They have an English page and it is a very easy site for those of you, who like me, have searched unsuccesfully in the US. Look it up under it's french name, Chacun Cherche Son Chat. Hope that helps.
  *****Sorry for the confusion - I guess the site I got it from no longer exists. Too bad.
  
  
• Great!
  By on 1999-11-05
  This movie is a fun, touching story of self-discovery. A wonderful film
  
  
• great movie
  By on 1999-05-03
  If you need a lot of action and dislike subtlety, this movie isn't for you. If you like movies that are honest, subtle and pure and not hokey or formulaic at all, perhaps you will love this movie. There are little metaphors scattered all over this movie, but they aren't shoved in your face, so they are easy to miss.
  
  
• plotless and dull
  By on 1999-05-17
  The movie is almost insulting - a cat wedged unnoticed behind an oven for several days (please!)while its owner wanders around the neighborhood meeting some very dull people. Parisians may think their city is unique, but this movie conveys nothing...most ridiculous is the notion that it takes the loss of this woman's cat to transfer her from an isolated wallflower into a woman with a social life...yet she is stunningly beautiful and works as a make-up artist for photo models - a real wallflower scenario...this movie ambles and wanders on for hours of banal situations and banal dialogue. But it seems some people think that anything French must be profound...
  
  
• A movie that registers!
  By A3L1RFRDUDMT9N on 2000-09-04
  This movie is so true-to-life I could smell the musty air in the apartments. The diversity & dead-on behavior of the characters is astonishing. Where do all the elderly neighbor ladies & the macho bozos in the bar go when they aren't in this movie? They don't look like actors & they certainly don't act like actors, but they are so terrifically on target. I wanted to move out of the neighborhood & I've never even been there. No sentimentality, no frills, no melodrama, but great film-making! Love those quick shots of Chloë agonizing at the laundromat: ain't it the truth?
  
  
• A Quaint Yet Melancholy Film
  By A1RHBOCNPVH8QK on 2001-04-27
  I first saw this film for free at a downtown theater earlier this week. I liked it so much, that I rented it last night. Aside from offering amazing views of Paris, this film is an engaging character study--not only of the city's denizens but of Chloe, who I think every single girl living in a big city can relate to. The woman who played Madame Renee was hilarious (I was glad to see older women such as her getting meaty roles). And the drummer was hot.
  
  
• When the Cat is Away
  By A2VG4KOKAPL4WO on 2000-02-13
  Please I love the musical score of this movie. Anybody/any french that know what groups contributed to the musical score?
  
  
• One movie with no plot
  By on 2000-04-09
  Please, don't spend your money on this movie, my friends and I rented a bunch of French movies one night on an all night movie run and we rated this one the worst hands down with no exceptions. The acting is such that you keep watching the movie expecting it to go away. We watched the whole thing waiting to have it go somewhere and it didn't. There are so many other great french movies, you shouldn't waste your money on this one.
  
  
• Simple, sweet, beautiful, and real
  By on 1999-07-05
  This film highlights so many wonderful qualities in good people who seem ordinary at first and in a magnificent city (ca c'est Paris!). Renee Le Calm (Madame Renee) is amazing! The gay roommate is cute and full of life. Jamel is kind of dorky but extremely generous and very sensitive. Chloe is beautiful and like all my female friends! The music is also very telling ... Does anybody know if a CD is available???

  This is a movie to buy and watch over and over (especially if you are a Francophile or simply like very good romantic comedies!).
  
  

• Sweet
  By on 1999-05-22
  This movie is simply enjoyable and adorable. I can't wait to see it again
  
  
• A very French movie!
  By on 1999-09-15
  If one's looking for a French movie, a recent one, but wants to avoid watching a boring, so-called intellectual one, then that's the one to get! Funny, witty, touching, in a word (or make that 2), very French!
  
  

• Paris, Je T'Aime (Paris, I Love You)
• Un Air de Famille
• Amelie
• Indochine
• L'Auberge Espagnole (The Spanish Apartment)