Film Forum

France, 1958
Directed by Louis Malle
Starring Jeanne Moreau, Alain Cuny
In French with English subtitles
Approx. 90 min. 35mm.

“THE LOVERS was only Malle’s third feature film as a director, and his second work of fiction…Tremendously popular both in France and overseas, the film established Malle as a serious continental talent, and Jeanne Moreau as the face of a new generation. Based very loosely on a short story from the eighteenth century, LES AMANTS centers around Jeanne (Moreau), an unhappy upper-class wife. Married to a provincial newspaper owner (Alain Cuny), she regularly goes to Paris to meet her friend, Maggy (Judith Magre) and lover Raoul (José Luis de Villalonga). An unfortunate series of events leads to a weekend in the country for all four, with a passing stranger (Jean-Marc Bory) coming along for the ride. To Jeanne’s — and the audience’s — surprise she ends up spurning both husband and lover for the arms of the stranger, driving off with him to an uncertain future.”  – Patrick Garson, Senses of Cinema

Reviews

"As a woman torn by conventions, a need for love, a knowledge of the superficialities of the Parisian haute monde and her ecstatic discovery of romantic fulfillment for which she sacrifices home, husband and child, Mlle. Moreau seems to be living, rather than playing, a role.”
– A. H. Weiler, The New York Times

“...inaugurated Moreau’s extraordinary run of ’60s art films in high style.”
– Slant Magazine