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Praise for Maigret and the Dead Lover

“A pure cinematic treat.”— Aurélien Cabrol, La Tribune Dimanche

“Incisive dialogue, a taste for secrecy, concision: a delightful adaptation served by giants of the stage.”— Jacques Morice, Télérama

“With its brilliant dialogue and dazzling actors . . . (a sparkling face-off between Alvaro and Podalydès), Bonitzer delightfully confronts this timeless character with present-day Paris.”— Xavier Leherpeur, L’Obs

“Faithful to and respectful of Simenon’s work, Bonitzer’s film adds a melancholy touch, seeking less to tell the story of a crime than to portray a string of damaged lives. And it works beautifully.”— David Doucet, Le Point

“Pascal Bonitzer succeeds in a modernized version of Inspector Maigret, in which his characters, played by terrific actors including Denis Podalydès, struggle against the end of their world.”— Céline Rouden, La Croix

“A ghost film full of charm.”— Jean-Baptiste Morain, Les Inrockuptibles

“Bonitzer delivers a delicious version of Maigret, played by Denis Podalydès. . . . [He] places him in a very interesting time frame: the early 21st century.”— Nathalie Zimra, Les Fiches du Cinéma

“The film has the merit of giving pride of place to all its wonderful actors, who . . . bring a renewed flavor to this umpteenth adaptation of Inspector Maigret’s investigations.”— Laurence Houot, Franceinfo Culture

“The large place given to the supporting roles recalls the flavor of postwar French film casts.”— Vincent Thabourey, Positif

“An enjoyable investigation to follow, and superbly performed.”— Télé 2 semaines

Reviews translated from the French.

About Pascal Bonitzer

Pascal Bonitzer is one of France's most acclaimed contemporary filmmakers and screenwriters. A longtime writer for Cahiers du Cinéma, he has collaborated with directors including Jacques Rivette, André Téchiné, Raúl Ruiz, and Patrice Chéreau. As a director, he is celebrated for his elegant, intelligent films that blend wit, psychological insight, and literary sophistication. Victor comme tout le monde is his latest feature.

Over the past three decades, Bonitzer has written or co-written more than forty screenplays and directed eleven feature films, including Encore, Nothing About Robert, Small Cuts, Looking for Hortense, Cherchez Hortense, The Great Alibi, and The Prize of Peril. His films have been selected for major international festivals, including Cannes, Venice, Berlin, and Locarno, and have earned multiple César Award nominations. Widely regarded as one of the leading literary voices in contemporary French cinema, Bonitzer is renowned for crafting films that combine intellectual depth, subtle humor, and keen observations of human relationships.




About Barbara Bouquegneau


Barbara Bouquegneau is the President and Executive Director of the French Library. She holds a Master of Science in Film Production from Boston University and has curated the Library’s cinema program for many years, offering local audiences a rich selection of French films. Her passion for cinema and cultural dialogue continues to foster thoughtful conversations around both contemporary and classic works of French filmmaking.


Upcoming Events

Friday, October 30, 2026

Experience silent cinema as it was meant to be seen; with live music.

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Wednesday, November 4, 2026

Come join us for the new Theater Club at the French Library, a place to read, watch, discuss and recite contemporary and classic French plays with fellow enthusiasts.

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Tuesday, November 10, 2026

Discover the poetry of Paul Verlaine through the music of Fauré, Debussy, Saint-Saëns, Britten, and more. French tenor Morgan Manifacier bring Verlaine’s words to life in this intimate recital.

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