Nuit d'été en ville (1990)
Directed by Michel Deville

Drama / Romance
aka: Summer Night in Town

Film Review

Abstract picture representing Nuit d'ete en ville (1990)
Nuit d'été en ville is possibly director Michel Deville's most daring film, and certainly one of his most intimate, a far cry from the whimsical comedies (such as L'Apartement des filles (1963)) with which he started his illustrious career.  The narrative could hardly be simpler - a man and a woman talk playfully to find out something about one another between one bout of passionate lovemaking and another (neither of which is shown on screen).  It would have been virtually impossible for any director to sustain such a simple storyline for an hour and a half without two extraordinarily talented actors and a rather special piece of scripting - but Nuit d'été en ville has both of these.

Jean-Hugues Anglade and Marie Trintignant are perfectly cast - and not just because of their physical beauty (which Deville exploits by having both actors perform fully naked for the first half of the film).  In their previous films, both Anglade and Trintignant have revealed a dark, mysterious aspect to their personas, and this film reinforces this impression, in spite of its seemingly anodyne subject.  We are constantly intrigued by the characters they portray with such depth and cool enigmatic charm.   There is the sense that we are spying - somewhat guiltily - on that most intimate of human experiences, learning about two lovers at the same time that they learn about each other.  This voyeuristic approach is employed by Deville in much of his work, but seldom as skilfully and as appropriately as in this film.

Nuit d'été en ville is clearly not a film for all tastes; it demands both patience and attention from its spectator, for this is film minimalism at its most extreme.  All the drama and tension resides in the dialogue and in the subtle rapport of the two actors.  For those who can appreciate this kind of slow-moving, introspective drama, Nuit d'été en ville offers a rewarding cinematic experience - a work of striking poetry and humanism, and a candid, intelligent portrayal of that most intimate of human relationships.
© James Travers 2004
The above content is owned by filmsdefrance.com and must not be copied.
Next Michel Deville film:
Toutes peines confondues (1992)

Film Synopsis

Having made love for the first time, a young couple attempt to get to know one another.  Neither had expected anything more than a one-night stand when he, Louis, accepted an invitation from her, Emilie, back to her apartment one hot summer's evening.  As they talk, they enter into each other's lives, and it becomes clear that their relationship will last well beyond the next morning…
© James Travers
The above content is owned by filmsdefrance.com and must not be copied.


Film Credits

  • Director: Michel Deville
  • Script: Rosalinde Deville
  • Cinematographer: Bernard Lutic
  • Cast: Jean-Hugues Anglade (Louis), Marie Trintignant (Emilie)
  • Country: France
  • Language: French
  • Support: Color
  • Runtime: 85 min
  • Aka: Summer Night in Town

The silent era of French cinema
sb-img-13
Before the advent of sound France was a world leader in cinema. Find out more about this overlooked era.
The best of British film comedies
sb-img-15
British cinema excels in comedy, from the genius of Will Hay to the camp lunacy of the Carry Ons.
The Golden Age of French cinema
sb-img-11
Discover the best French films of the 1930s, a decade of cinematic delights...
The very best fantasy films in French cinema
sb-img-30
Whilst the horror genre is under-represented in French cinema, there are still a fair number of weird and wonderful forays into the realms of fantasy.
The best French films of 2018
sb-img-27
Our round-up of the best French films released in 2018.
 

Other things to look at


Copyright © filmsdefrance.com 1998-2024
All rights reserved



All content on this page is protected by copyright