Discover
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François Truffaut
Producer -
Raoul Coutard
Director of Photography -
Georges Delerue
Original Music Composer -
Raymond Cauchetier
Still Photographer -
Suzanne Schiffman
Script Supervisor -
Marcel Berbert
Executive Producer -
Georges Pellegrin
Assistant Director -
Henri-Pierre Roché
Novel
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CinemaSerf 7/20/2024 2:49:16 PM
Jeanne Moreau is superb here with her portrayal of "Catherine", a rather selfish and erratic woman who manipulates two men - "Julius/Jules" (Oskar Werner) and "Jim" (Henri Serre). Sometimes married to one, but in love with them both - or with neither, or maybe even not with herself - Truffaut juggles these three balls terrifically well. The pace changes frequently - hectic then glacial; the dialogue is sparing - especially from "Jim", and the style of the film evolves effortlessly with a narrative that starts before WWI and continues long after. The photography is frequently intimate and potent and we are invited to follow these flawed individuals as they age pretty gracelessly trying to find some solution to their predicament - who gets the girl; who does the girl want; what does the girl want? As ever with this director, there is humour and glamour - and if you get an opportunity, try and see it on a big screen to immerse yourself in the detail of this quality production. It sags a little in the third quarter and I have to say that I didn't much like any of their characters - but otherwise an entertaining look at life when the norms don't apply - and well worth a watch.
Jeanne Moreau
CatherineMarie Dubois
ThérèseMichel Subor
Récitant / Narrator (voix)Jean-Louis Richard
Customer in CafeOskar Werner
JulesSabine Haudepin
SabineHenri Serre
JimAnny Nelsen
Lucie