Céleste *** (1980, Eva Mattes, Jürgen Arndt, Norbert Wartha, Wolf Euba) – Classic Movie Review 11,853

Marcel Proust in 1900.

Percy Adlon’s fascinating 1981 German film Céleste tells the story of the final years of the French gay writer Marcel Proust (Jürgen Arndt) through the eyes of his housekeeper. 

Writer-director Percy Adlon’s fascinating 1981 German film Céleste about the final years (1913-22) of the French gay writer Marcel Proust (Jürgen Arndt), looked after as he lay in his bed in Paris by his farm-girl maid/ housekeeper Céleste Albaret (Eva Mattes), upon whose memoir book Monsieur Proust Adlon (as sole screenwriter) based the film.

There is a wealth of revealing detail and wit in Adlon’s meandering, virtually story-free screenplay, which is both witty and affecting.

Mattes and Arndt give subtle performances as the leads and the film is ravishingly photographed by four different sets of hands (Jürgen Martin, Horst Becker, Helmo Sahliger, Hermann Ramelow).

Also in the cast are Norbert Wartha, Wolf Euba, Joseph Manoth, Leo Bardischewski, Horst Raspe and Rolf Illing.

Céleste waited decades before writing her book about her experiences.

Proust is known to have been gay, but Céleste Albaret denies this in her memoirs. Proust never opened up about his homosexuality, as usual in those days, though it was known to his family and close friends.

It stars Eva Mattes as Céleste Albaret, Jürgen Arndt as Monsieur Proust, Norbert Wartha as Odilon Albaret and Wolf Euba as Robert Proust.

Films directed by Percy Adlon: Céleste (1980), Sugarbaby [Zuckerbaby] (1985), Bagdad Café (1987), Rosalie Goes Shopping (1989), Salmonberries (1991), Younger and Younger (1993), Hawaiian Gardens (2001), Koenig’s Sphere (2001), and Mahler on the Couch (2010).

© Derek Winnert 2021 Classic Movie Review 11,853

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