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The Guardian Angel (1978 film)

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The Guardian Angel
FrenchL'Ange gardien
Directed byJacques Fournier
Written byJacques Fournier
Produced byPierre Grunstein
StarringMargaret Trudeau
André Falcon
Francis Lemaire
CinematographyYves Pouffary
Edited byFrédéric de Chateaubriant
Music byMarcel Napoleoni
Production
companies
Les Films Prospec Inc.
Promédi Film
Release date
  • December 21, 1978 (1978-12-21)
Running time
98 minutes
CountriesCanada
France
LanguageFrench

The Guardian Angel (French: L'Ange gardien) is a Canadian-French coproduced romantic comedy film, directed by Jacques Fournier and released in 1978.[1] The film was most noted for casting Margaret Trudeau, soon after her separation from Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, in a starring role;[2] it was actually her second performance in a film, but the first to premiere commercially.

The film centres on Annie (Trudeau), the Canadian wife of wealthy businessman André Roussel (André Falcon), who is sent by her husband on a vacation in the French Riviera. Her husband sends private detective Aldo (Francis Lemaire) to follow her as he suspects her of infidelity; however, Annie and Aldo themselves begin a romantic relationship with each other.[3]

The film was not well received by critics, with many focusing in particular on Trudeau's acting skills.[1] As Trudeau was not fluent in French, the film was written so that she spoke her lines in English and was then overdubbed by another actress.[1] Even Peter Towe, Canada's ambassador to the United States, was quoted by the press as criticizing Trudeau's performance skills, although he later claimed to have been misquoted and expressed his "tremendous sympathy for anyone trying two new things—acting and speaking French."[4]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Richard Cleroux, "Margaret's screen debut is a silly, boring film". The Globe and Mail, December 22, 1978.
  2. ^ "Maggie's film draws chorus of critical boos". The Globe and Mail, December 23, 1978.
  3. ^ Richard Cleroux, "Maggie's movie opens". The Globe and Mail, December 22, 1978.
  4. ^ "Chatter". People, November 6, 1978.
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