This is not an example of an American-French New Wave movie. There are elements of French New Wave, but overall, the Model Shop is an empty 90 minute movie about two central characters that nobody can relate to. George is a cheat, a liar, a deadbeat, and not interesting. Lola is sexy but dull. Both characters lose the audience before they can get to the third act. Only then does the movie turn into anything that reflects a French film. But by then, it is too late. The saving graces of this movie is how the filmmakers showcased the streets of a Los Angles from the 1970's that no longer exists, cameo by Fred Willard and the final 45 seconds of the movie where we actually see a brief moment of redemption.

Model Shop (1969) Director: Jacques Demy Watched: May 2018 Rating: 5/10 An "A" for effort, Proves Demy should stick with French, Not co-writing this. George refuses work, Loves a girl he hardly knows, Fears the draft and death? Abysmal acting, Especially Hays who has No language excuse! Aimée plays "Lola", With far less dazzle this time, Though still beautiful. Props for nostalgic L.A., "Spirit" band, life insight quotes. #HaikuSonnet #PoemReview #French ---- Haiku Sonnets are comprised of 4 3-line haiku plus a couplet of either 5 or 7 syllables, totaling 14 lines, the same number of lines found in a sonnet. (5-7-5, 5-7-5, 5-7-5, 5-7-5, 7-7/5-5) The perfect pairing of Asian and Western poetry?

This film often airs from time to time late night on TCM's and I must say that "Model Shop" is one of the better and more underrated films of the late 60's. It's in a way a love story however it's not without an emotional struggle of decision and choice in a time of an uncertain world.Set in Los Angeles, California Gary Lockwood is a young man named George Matthews and he's a little hopeless as he's broke and about getting ready to be drafted into war. As his only fun is the sunny California beach and taking cool rides in his nice car. On the side he has a sexy colored bra wearing girlfriend Gloria(Alexandra Hay)who he really wants to leave.Now if you think that's enough on Gary's plate wait till he meets Lola a well to do French divorcée and it's like love at first sight he's fallen for her in uncertain times . It's now choices and decisions and as in life Gary will have to live with the consequences good or bad. Overall well done film for the late 60's really an underrated B classic.

Jacques Demy has one hell of a sense of humor; he took Anouk Aimee to California and signed up a team of Sequoias to play opposite her, in support of Gary Redwood (oops, sorry, Lockwood). This has to set some kind of record for the most wooden screen acting EVER. By comparison Lola, the earlier Demy film featuring Aimee as the same character, was a masterpiece to rank alongside Citizen Kane. Actually Lola was a pretty good 'small' movie and it's nigh on impossible to believe that Model Shop is the work of the same man. Aimee is, of course, a fine actress and was well established at the time she made Lola but here it's a case of one filet mignon and a handful of low-grade hamburgers. Don't waste your time.