Summary
After 25 years of married life, Julien and Clemence Bouin have ended up hating each other.
Living in a dilapidated house soon to be demolished, their lives are filled with bitterness
and regret for the happy past both have lost. When Julien adopts a stray cat and
smothers it with affection, Clemence’s suppressed resentment turns to hatred…
Review
This poignant film portrays the remnants of a long dead relationship visibly disintegrating
alongside the debris of a faded, long past society. One of the most brutal films
about married life ever made in France, this is a deeply disturbing film, laden with a
pall of pessimism which is only briefly lifted in the final moments of the film.
Although visually quite powerful, the film is weighed down by its relentless use of symbolism
and unnecessary artistry (such as a needlessly complicated narrative structure).
However, captivating performances from Jean Gabin and Simone Signoret (two once great
actors nearing the end of their careers) make up for these faults and lend the film a
tragic poignancy without which the film would probably have had little significance.
© James Travers 2001
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