L'Affaire d'une nuit (1960)
Directed by Henri Verneuil

Film Review

In between two popular blockbusters - La Vache et le prisonnier and Le Président - Henri verneuil, one of the most successful French film directors from the 50s until the 90s, puts his distinctive signature to this light comedy-romance, an unusal departure for a director better known for his stylish thrillers and burlesque comedies.  The script was adapted from a novel by Alain Moury entitled L'Affaire d'une nuit.  The first viewers could see the result in cinemas on 14th September 1960.  This very Parisian black and white dramatic comedy reflects the mood of a certain middle class at the time.  This very pleasant, intimate piece of work about a controversial love triangle during one night reflects an atmosphere that still can be found today in some cafés in Paris and at familiar locations used in the film.

After working with such luminaries as Jean Gabin, Fernandel, Alain Delon, Jean-Paul belmondo and Michèle Morgan, Henri Verneuil is well-served here by his three main actors - Pascale Petit (who worked with Marcel Carné on Les Tricheurs (1958)), Roger Hanin and Pierre Mondy, who, having appeared in supporting roles many times, at last have their names in big letters on the film poster.  Last but not least in a sequence filmed in a well-known restaurant at the heart of the Les Halles neighborhood one can notice a cameo appearance by Brigitte Bardot and her husband-actor Jacques Charrier, sitting at a table with producer Christine Gouze-Renal (Roger Hanin's real-life wife) and Henri Verneuil himself.  The DVD of this 3 star film is available.  You can always try it as a 'one night affair'.

Film Synopsis

Michel Ferréol is a comfortably off middle-class man who is somewhat embarrassed when he runs into an old school friend, Antoine Fiesco, who is over-keen to take him on a trip down memory lane.  Reluctantly, Michel agrees to accompany his burdensome old chum to a restaurant to meet his wife Christine.  The excursion proves to be worth it.  The moment Michel sets eyes on this ravishing brunette he knows he is in love with her, and it is clear to him straight away that she is keen to get away from Antoine, who seems to be far more interested in his army career than her.

As luck would have it, Antoine is shortly to be preoccupied in a military procession on the Champs-Élysées, so with the unwanted husband out of the way for several hours Michel makes his move and invites the delectable Christine to dine with him.  One thing naturally leads to another, and with Antoine still preoccupied with his official duties, Michel and his wife are soon heading back to his apartment for a romantic evening together.  Before things go too far, Antoine shows up unexpectedly, and Michel is forced to invent a tall story to account for his presence in his home.  The reaction this prompts from his rival is not what he would ever have expected...