Summary
An eminent biologist, Henri Laborit, illustrates how behavioural theories about survival
and social development pertaining to animals can be applied to human beings. He does this
by making reference to the lives of three people: Jean, an ambitious writer and politician,
Janine, an aspiring actress, and René, a country boy who ends up managing a textile
factory. All three characters are placed in threatening, life-changing situations
which, the professor claims, vindicates his theories…
Review
What could easily have been a conventional drama about the pressures of modern living
is magnificently transformed into a multi-layered film which is both compelling and entertaining,
despite its unusual narrative structure. Although less distinctive than some
of Resnais’ earlier films, it illustrates the director’s capacity to make great cinema
that is provocative and innovative without alienating its potential audience. Not
only does Resnais have something new to say, he actually manages to persuade us to listen
to him, a knack that many other avant-garde directors lack.
The films switches between a documentary-style discussion of animal behaviour and a highly charged emotional drama with almost the same unsettling effect as someone switching between two television channels. The two styles differ so markedly that they genuinely complement each other and, remarkably, the drama appears that much more poignant and comic. The two strands to the narrative cross in a number of ways, including some surreal intermediate scenes where human beings actually become the laboratory white mice they are being compared with.
The human drama part of the film is itself split into three strands, which ultimately converge. This fragmentation of the narrative ought to be a distraction but it works to great effect, enabling Resnais to explore one of his favourite themes, the interaction of time, place and memory.
© James Travers 2001
Write a review for this film...
The films switches between a documentary-style discussion of animal behaviour and a highly charged emotional drama with almost the same unsettling effect as someone switching between two television channels. The two styles differ so markedly that they genuinely complement each other and, remarkably, the drama appears that much more poignant and comic. The two strands to the narrative cross in a number of ways, including some surreal intermediate scenes where human beings actually become the laboratory white mice they are being compared with.
The human drama part of the film is itself split into three strands, which ultimately converge. This fragmentation of the narrative ought to be a distraction but it works to great effect, enabling Resnais to explore one of his favourite themes, the interaction of time, place and memory.
© James Travers 2001
Write a review for this film...
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Useful links
- Best French films of 2011
- Best French films of the 2000s
- Best of the French New Wave
- Best of French film comedy
- The best 100 French films
- The most successful French films
- Great French filmmakers
Related links
- Other French films of the 1980s
- The best French films of the 1980s
- Other French dramas
- The best French dramas
- Biography and films of Alain Resnais
To buy this film
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Credits
- Director: Alain Resnais
- Script: Jean Gruault, Henri Laborit
- Photo: Sacha Vierny
- Music: Arié Dzierlatka
- Cast: Gérard Depardieu (René Ragueneau), Nicole Garcia (Janine Garnier), Roger Pierre (Jean Le Gall), Nelly Borgeaud (Arlette), Pierre Arditi (Zambeaux), Gérard Darrieu (Léon Veestrate), Philippe Laudenbach (Michel Aubert), Marie Dubois (Thérèse Ragueneay), Henri Laborit (Himself), Catherine Frot (Arlette, fille)
- Country: France
- Language: French
- Runtime: 125 min
- Aka: My American Uncle; Les Somnambules
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Drama






