Summary
A middle-aged man, Pierre, is involved in a serious car accident. As he lies on
the ground, paralysed, he recalls his recent life. He remembers that he was planning
to move to Tunisia, to start a new life. He remembers breaking up with his current
girlfriend, Hélène, unable to cope with the pressure of the relationship.
Then he remembers the tragic train of events which led to the car accident...
Review
Although the subject matter of this film is a tad on the soppy side for a quality French
romantic drama, the way in which the film is shot and constructed manages to overcome
this apparent flaw. If the film had been told is in a strictly linear way, it would
probably have fallen flat and might resemble a rather cheap and tacky American tragic
love story affair of the worst kind.
Fortunately, the structure of Les Choses de la vie is anything but linear, and
therein lies its strength. The story is told almost in reverse, with a brilliantly
assembled montage of flashbacks, and sometimes flashbacks within flashbacks. This
is a trick that cannot be used too often in cinema, but when used judiciously, and with
a good reason, as in this film, the effect can be very impressive.
Claude Sautet is renowned for his intensely moving romantic dramas, films which show a
profound compassion for and understanding of human relationships. Les Choses de la
vie is one such film, where the poignancy of the story is heightened by the presence
of two exceptional actors, Michel Piccoli and Romy Schneider. Although Piccoli is
flat on his back for a large portion of this film, he gives one of his best screen performances
and he is perfectly cast as the ill-fated Pierre.
© James Travers 2000
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