A Deneuve Dozen
MISSISSIPPI MERMAID
DIRECTOR: FRANÇOIS TRUFFAUT
FRANCE, 1969
Drawing on the traditions of American noir, Truffaut’s tale of sexual obsession and betrayal is set on the lush Reunion Island in the Indian Ocean. When tobacco farmer Louis’ (Jean-Paul Belmondo) mail-order bride arrives (Deneuve), he’s unsure whether this beautiful woman is the same one he has been corresponding with by letter and only seen in photographs. Ignoring his doubts, passion consumes, and the two begin a life together—until the day the mysterious Julie disappears with a large portion of Louis’ assets. (123 mins.)