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Overview
Les Choses de la vie is a French film first released in 1969,
directed by Claude Sautet.
The film is based on a novel by Paul Guimard and stars Michel Piccoli, Romy Schneider, Gérard Lartigau, Jean Bouise and Henri Nassiet.
It has also been released under the title: The Little Things in Life.
Our overall rating for this film is: very good.
Synopsis
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...
Film 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 Write a review for this film... User Comments
The best love story ever made in France, together with the best music
score, perfect artistry of Piccoli and Schneider... Marvellous !
Mario Patti (Salvador, Bahia, Brazil) What do you think of this film? Related links
More French DramaRecent DVD releases |
Credits
Similar films:
If you like this film you may also like the following: La 7ème cible (1984) L’Année dernière à Marienbad (1961) Des gens sans importance (1955) Les Deux Anglaises et le continent (1971) La Fille de 15 ans (1989) Les Grandes manoeuvres (1955) Lola (1961) Manon des sources (1953) Orphée (1949) Police (1985) Le Roi de coeur (1966) Si tous les gars du monde (1956) Tristana (1970) Trois places pour le 26 (1988) |


