The Things of Life

The things in life is a French film from 1970, in which Claude Sautet directed. It is an adaptation of the novel by Paul Guimard. " Beautify ", " tell stories without lying ", in French " affabuler ": this motto chose Sautet for this and for his other films. And he lets these words Romy Schneider formulated at the beginning of the film: as it wrapped in a towel, like a unobserved sentient Writer at the typewriter sitting, cursing in German, according to the correct translation searches for a word, and so at the beginning of the action the veracity of the film in the foreground.

Action

An accident has occurred, a man is seriously injured, many onlookers standing around. What happened before and how it came to the accident, is told in many flashbacks: Pierre Bérard, an architect in his forties, lives with the younger Hélène. Both have been planning a long stay in Tunis, but Pierre is indecisive and does not sign the necessary papers, which can be Hélène clear that they will stay at home. In addition, Pierre has agreed to a 14 - day vacation with his son - on the island of Ile de Ré, to which he has fond memories.

Between Pierre and Hélène it starts to kriseln. Pierre thinks about his life, Hélène writes a letter in which he wants to break up with her. He sets out on an evening drive to Rennes. As he passes a wedding party, it is the thought of getting married. He gives the letter so not on, but leaves Hélène phone a message that they will eagerly expected in a hotel. He wants to marry her, because he does not want to be alone for the rest of his life.

On the way, finally it happened: At a crossroads a cattle truck stops, the engine stalled. Pierre drives his Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint to it, may be diverted at the last moment, drives into a ditch, is thrown out, the car ends up on a tree. It lies on a lawn, almost in a coma, and remembers his past life with Hélène, his wife Catherine and his son. He feels no pain and always thinks back to the letter to Hélène, he wants to rip necessarily - but he can not tell the bystanders. He is transported by ambulance to the hospital, where he eventually dies. A nurse hands over his personal belongings Catherine. This reads the letter and tears it up, while Hélène is on the way to hospital.

The Ile de Ré has the meaning of a vanishing point for the protagonist of this film.

1994, there was a far less successful American remake under the title "Encounters " ( Original: "Intersection " ), with Richard Gere, Sharon Stone and Lolita Davidovich in the lead roles.

Reviews

  • Lexicon of international film: "Technically and aesthetically brilliant, psychologically sensitive. "
  • Heyne film encyclopedia: " Superbly presented and superbly mounted psychological study. "

Awards

Claude Sautet was awarded the prestigious Louis- Delluc Prize for his film 1969. A year later, the things of life was represented in the competition of the Cannes Film Festival in 1970, but had opposite Robert Altman's comedy M * A * S * H in the cold.

237301
de