INTRO:
Few film actresses have been able to convey sultry allure to as wide a range of audiences as Brigitte Bardot. Whether her role requires her to project experienced sexiness or innocent sass she always injects her performances with energy, wit, and empathy. Home Vision Entertainment, who normally distribute The Criterion Collection, are ushering in their new line, The Classic Collection, with two Bardot releases: Plucking the Daisy and The Night Heaven Fell. They are two completely different films that help to showcase Bardot's broad range and talents.

1956's Plucking the Daisy is one of her more screwball films, a lighthearted romantic comedy that finds Bardot playing a young, naive runaway. After being sent from her family's home in Vichy as punishment for writing a scandalous book called "Plucking the Daisy", Agnes Dumont (Bardot) weasels a free trip to Paris from a couple of journalist horndogs eager to pluck a little daisy of their own. Once in Paris, Agnes looks for her brother, a successful artist (as far as she knows). After breaking into what she thinks is his home (it turns out to be a museum) she contacts the journalists, who promised to help her publish her next book. One of them, Daniel (Daniel Grelin), finds himself falling for Agnes and decides to take her under his wing. A series of mix-ups leads to Agnes' entry into a strip-tease contest under the pseudonym Sophia. Agnes, way too embarrassed to go through with it, dons a mask and delivers a hesitant, yet strangely alluring performance, winning the semifinals. When Daniel also falls for Sophia and Agnes' brother turns out to be less than he claimed, Plucking the Daisy becomes a charming and entertaining joke on fabricated identities and lies. Even though the territory is standard for this brand of comedy the combination of Bardot's charm and a surprisingly unpredictable plot helps the film rise above the heap.

VIDEO:
The full-frame black and white picture is beautifully restored. The images have a nice contrast and a beautiful silky texture. The film may be 45 years old but it looks great.

AUDIO:
The Dolby Digital 2.0 audio is also wonderful, considering the age. The brassy score sounds dynamic and the French dialog is clear. Removable English subtitles are available.

EXTRAS:
Trailers for Plucking the Daisy, The Night Heaven Fell, and ...And God Created Woman are included, as is a text Bardot filmography.

FINAL THOUGHTS:
As a cinematic trifle, Plucking the Daisy is a terrific film. Bardot's presence helps make the film add up to more than the sum of its parts.

Related review:
The Night Heaven Fell