r A POUND OF FAT-FREE written and directed by Academy Award-winning Claude Berri (for his short subject film La Poulet), who spent his childhood in France during the Resistance years. Lucie Bernard (Carole Bouquet), a.k.a Lucie Aubrac, spends most of the fast-moving film bailing her activist husband Raymond Samuel (Daniel Auteuil) out of trouble. Raymond, who is Jewish, uses several names other than Samuel, and tries unsuc- cessfully to get his parents to drop the Samuel name as well. But his father boasts that the name has lasted for centuries in France. This inaction comes back to haunt the parents later. When Raymond is first arrested on a black-marketing charge, Lucie springs him by going directly to the French prosecuting attorney and threatening him with Mafia-style bod- ily harm if Raymond is not released by a certain date — May 14. This brings out the movie's passion- ate love story — even overriding the cause of the Resistance against the Nazis. Lucie and Daniel had taken an oath always to be together on that date — the yearly anniversary of the first time they made love. Lucie, now in her 80s, and Raymond have kept that oath for 57 years. The strongest part of the film, though, is Lucie's ingenious plan to organize a daring escape for Raymond after he is arrested again. This time, ruthless Gestapo agents have sen- tenced him to death. Raymond entrusts a bookstore owner, who spends a few months as his cellmate, with enough personal knowledge that he can relay informa- tion to Lucie without suspicion. When she can be sure of her hus- band's whereabouts, her cunning, resourcefulness and burning desire to keep that May 14 date take over. Berri concentrates so much on the love part of the story that he doesn't show Lucie assisting in very many acts of resistance, and he admits to taking certain liberties with real-life events and characters "for structural and pac- ing reasons." But, pleasantly, the Resistance fighters are shown looking like busi- nessmen, with jackets and ties rather than the grubby attire of the guerrillas depicted in old war movies. Lucie Aubrac is a French-lan- guage film with English subtitles. It is rated R. Opening today, exclu- sively at the Maple Art Theatre. . A M fiftaM M\ - M.V.M aMs TUNA PASTA OR FAT-FREE CHICKEN PASTA WITH PURCHASE OF ANOTHER POUND OF FAT-FREE TUNA PASTA OR CHICKEN PASTA L Expires 10/7/99 j With Coupon LET SHIRLEE BLOOM CATER YOUR NEXT AFFAIR ONLY KOSHER PRODUCTS USED IN THE PREPARATION OF ALL FOOD OUR EVERYDAY LOW PRICE NOVA $1h99 LOX IV lb. •Salads •Sandwiches •Dine-In •Carry-Out •Wine •Liquors • Traditional Food •Soups 32418 NORTHWESTERN HWY. Between Middlebelt & 14 Mile Rd. Farmington Hills 8554463 (2 ;1,8,: 248) 626-8468 ********************** Eurasian skaiRgNMMS.W' ), of a smile, "it's a great adventure film. "She had a role, I know, much more "Yes, I think, certainly the danger of important than she's given credit for in their situation comes through vividly." the movie," says Weitz. And, despite her complaints, Weitz says Though Weitz makes sure to mention most Americans could learn from any pre- Aubrac's distinctive character, hers is by no means the only story of its kind. She is a woman typical, in one sense, of [all] women of the Resistance," she says. "She carried four roles: she was a wife, a mother, a teacher and a Resistance figure. She was able to use her domestic role as a cover," Weitz says, citing the tech- nique Aubrac and other women of the Resistance used, including making deliveries and sending mes- sages under the pretense of doing "Lucie Aubrac was able to use her domestic role as domestic errands. a cover," says Professor Margaret Weitz, much like This was an especially impor- other women of the Resistance. tant service women performed for the Resistance, she explains, ), sensation of the Resistance. "I think because "women always did errands. Americans don't really understand the situa- Even in Nazi-occupied France, they tion in occupied France," she says. could go out routinely, when men Occasionally, she gets a reminder of risked drawing attention to themselves the ignorance that troubles her most: in that climate of suspicion and surveil- "People have asked me whether there lance. were Nazis in France," she says. Of this, Weitz laments the absence of such at least, Lucie Aubrac leaves little room material in Lucie Aubrac. for doubt. ri "I have to say, " she adds with a hint s flavor!" ohn Tanasychuk bit Free Press •J Fusion geirt 7-4A4.4t tont, Arta Cii4 titeN, trtbst theathw tttltbIA, Gitahta, tetvtbihMien. et ShernAit cad CtsiArt, ilitetektieftit& bth' stow, Open daily for dinner Available for Private Parties on Saturday & Sunday Afternoons 4771 Haggerty Rd. at Pontiac Trail in Westwind Lake Mall • West Bloomfield (248) 624-6109 Lelli's of Auburn Hills & Detroit FINE DINING RESTAURANTS Catering Services Provided For Your Special.Occasion Or Company Celebration. Our Location Or Yours. Becky Lelli's of Auburn Hills • 248-373-4440 Andre Lelli's of Detroit • 313-871-1590 Detroit Now Open Mondays 1 0/ 1 1999 Detroit Jewish News 91