FILM: Populaire (12A)

Taking its name from a brand of typewriter, Populair, directed by Regis Roinsard, is a romantic comedy which charts the rise of a beautiful secretary and her smitten boss in late 1950s Normandy.

Rose Pamphyle (Deborah Francois) works in the grocery store owned by her father but she doesn’t want to be stuck behind a till for the rest of her life.

When a secretarial position becomes vacant in a nearby insurance office run by the debonair Louis Echard (Romain Duris), Rose applies and leaves Louis in a swoon with her lightning-quick typing skills.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He is so impressed that he puts Rose forward for a regional secretary competition and then moves her into his countryside mansion where he can oversee her intensive training.

Romance blossoms between the couple but Louis is conflicted because he still holds a torch for his old flame, Marie (Berenice Bejo).

Released: May 31 (UK & Ireland, selected cinemas), 111 mins