The Accompanist

Despite a complex central performance by Romane Bohringer, "The Accompanist" remains a stolid, uninvolving melodrama that goes nowhere. And takes its time doing so.

Bohringer plays the central character, Sophie, a 20-year-old pianist who is one of the starving peasants populating the streets of Paris during the Occupation of World War II.

To escape her impoverished life, she auditions for an up-and-coming classical songstress named Irene (Elena Safonova), who is looking for an accompanist.

The twist here is that Irene, though vacuous, is much more interesting a character than Sophie. Irene is kind and generous, hoping to find in Sophie a confidant and friend. But Sophie just allows her resentment to grow as she watches Irene receiving all the glory for her own performing. Irene also has an extramarital affair going on, which brings out Sophie's jealousy.

But instead of complaining or striking out on her own, Sophie becomes inert, never asserting herself, just silently, unhappily going along. A metaphor for France's position during the Occupation, perhaps?

In terms of performances, the real kudos must go to Richard Bohringer, who is Romane's real-life father. He plays Irene's husband, using his wiles to excel as a Nazi collaborator, hoping to retain his pre-war riches.

Eventually, of course, he sees the folly of his ways and gets Irene and Sophie out of the country.

There are some nice moments here and there, but much of the movie just seems to lie there, as inert as Sophie's own inaction.

And it may cause the audience to become equally lulled. Perhaps even to sleep.

"The Accompanist" is rated PG for some profanity, violence, suggested sex and brief nudity.