The things in life

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Movie
German title The things in life
Original title Les choses de la vie
Country of production France ,
Italy ,
Switzerland
original language French
Publishing year 1970
length 82 minutes
Age rating FSK 16/12 (TV version)
Rod
Director Claude Sautet
script Jean-Loup Dabadie ,
Paul Guimard ,
Claude Sautet
production Jean Bolvary ,
Raymond Danon ,
Roland Girard
music Philippe Sarde
camera Jean Boffety
cut Jacqueline Thiédot
occupation

The Things in Life is a 1970 French film directed by Claude Sautet . It is an adaptation of the novel of the same name by Paul Guimard . “Beautify”, “tell stories without lying”, in French “ affabuler ”: this is the motto Sautet chose for this and his other films. He lets Romy Schneider formulate these words at the beginning of the film, when she is wrapped in a bath towel, sitting at the typewriter like a screenwriter who feels unobserved, cursing in German, looking for the right translation for a word and so at the beginning of the plot Bringing truthfulness to the fore.

action

A car accident has occurred, a man is seriously injured, numerous onlookers are standing around. What happened before and how the accident came about is told in numerous flashbacks : Pierre Bérard is an architect in his forties and married to Catherine. But he lives with the younger Hélène. Both have planned a long stay in Tunis , but Pierre is undecided and does not sign the necessary papers, which makes it clear to Hélène that he does not want to drive. In addition, Pierre has agreed to a fortnightly vacation with his son - on the island of Île de Ré , of which he has fond memories.

The crisis begins between Pierre and Hélène. Pierre is thinking about his life, writes Hélène in a letter that he wants to end their relationship. He sets off for Rennes by car . As he drives past a happy wedding party, the idea of ​​getting married occurs to him. He doesn't give up the letter, but leaves Hélène a message over the phone that she is eagerly awaited in a certain hotel. He wants to marry her because he doesn't want to be alone for the rest of his life.

As Pierre's fate comes true, a cattle truck stops at an intersection because the engine fails. Pierre drives towards it with his Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint at high speed, although he can evade at the last moment, he rolls over several times; Pierre is thrown out, the car crashes into a tree. He is lying on a meadow, alternating between consciousness and unconsciousness. He remembers scenes from his past life with Hélène, his wife Catherine and his son. He feels no pain and keeps thinking of the letter to Hélène, which he really wants to tear up - but he cannot communicate with the bystanders. He is transported to the hospital in an ambulance, where he eventually dies. A nurse gives Catherine his personal belongings. She reads the letter and tears it up while Hélène is on her way to the hospital. At the reception, Hélène learns of Pierre's death and leaves the hospital without seeing him again.

Remarks

Two short scenes are missing from the currently aired version of the film and on DVD:

  • The evening party with Hélène's parents, where Hélène is completely ignored by Pierre.
  • A conversation in the car between Hélène and her friend Bernard, who confesses his love for her.

It can be assumed that a few years after the film was completed, Claude Sautet considered these scenes to be superfluous and therefore left them out. The island of Ile de Re has for the protagonist of this film the importance of local refuge.

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

Reviews

  • Lexicon of international film: "Technically and aesthetically brilliant, psychologically sensitive."
  • Heyne Filmlexikon: "Perfectly staged and excellently assembled psychological study."

Awards

Claude Sautet received the prestigious Louis Delluc Prize for his film in 1969 . A year later, The Things of Life were featured in the competition at the Cannes Film Festival , but remained unprofitable.

literature

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Release certificate for the things of life (TV version) . Voluntary self-regulation of the film industry , November 2014 (PDF; test number: 42 615 V).