Writers:

Curt Alexander (screenplay),  André-Paul Antoine (novel)   

Simone Berriau,  Catherine Fonteney,  Laure Diana   

 

English subtitles.

 

An early esoteric exercise from director Max Ophuls, La Tendre Ennemie (Tender Enemy) was adapted from a play by A. P. Antoine. Years ago, Annette Dupont (Simone Berriau) married a man she didn't love for financial security. Now, Annette's grown daughter (Jacqueline Daix) is about to make the same mistake. Hoping to prevent this are the ghosts of Annette's deceased lovers, who return to earth to guide the daughter onto the right path in life. As a bonus, the three spirits produce the "right man" for the girl, as if by magic. Ophuls' fascination with camera tricks and elaborate crane shots reaches dizzying heights in this otherwise modest comedy-fantasy.