Goodbye Again (1961)

In this adaptation of Françoise Sagan's best selling novel, Paula is a beautiful and highly successful 40-year-old businesswoman. She is deeply in love with Roger, her mature consort of ... See full summary »

Director:

Anatole Litvak

Writers:

Françoise Sagan (novel), Samuel A. Taylor (screenplay)

Stars:

Ingrid Bergman, Yves Montand, Anthony Perkins

3 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Ingrid Bergman	...	Paula Tessier
Yves Montand	...	Roger Demarest
Anthony Perkins	...	Philip Van der Besh
Jessie Royce Landis	...	Mrs. Van der Besh
Pierre Dux	...	Maître Fleury
Jocelyn Lane	...	First Maisie (as Jackie Lane)
Jean Clarke	...	Second Maisie
Michèle Mercier	...	Third Maisie (as Michele Mercier)
Alison Leggatt	...	Alice
Uta Taeger	...	Gaby
David Horne	...	Queen's Counsel
Peter Bull	...	Client
André Randall	...	Mr. Steiner (as Andre Randall)
Diahann Carroll	...	Night Club Singer

Storyline

In this adaptation of Françoise Sagan's best selling novel, Paula is a beautiful and highly successful 40-year-old businesswoman. She is deeply in love with Roger, her mature consort of five years. Roger is a very charming gallant who loves Paula but is too selfish to give up his freedom to be promiscuous. When Paula meets Phillip, the 24-year-old immature lawyer son of one of her rich clients, he falls hopelessly in love with the glamorous, sympathetic older woman and insists that the age difference will be no barrier to a romance. Paula resists the young man's persistent advances, but she finally succumbs when Roger initiates yet another affair with one of his young Maisies. An affair begins, and society does not approve.

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Plot Keywords:

businesswoman | unmarried woman | record player | woman living alone | listening to classical music | 

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Taglines:

This is how love is...and always will be...

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Details

Country:

France USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

September 1961 (Austria)

Also Known As:

Time on Her Hands

Filming Locations:

Studios de Boulogne-Billancourt/SFP - 2 Rue de Silly, Boulogne-Billancourt, Hauts-de-Seine, France

Company Credits

Production Co:

Argus Film, Mercury Productions (I)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

120 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Black and White

Did You Know?

Trivia

Phillip's line, "All's for the best in this best of all possible worlds", is from "Candide" by Voltaire.

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Soundtracks

"Symphony No. 3 in F major, Op. 90: III. Poco allegretto"
Written by Johannes Brahms

User Reviews

Ingrid's Performance Adorns Landmark Feminist Soap

For better or worse, the book on which this film is based, Francoise Sagan's highly-touted French best seller, "Aimez-vous Brahms?" was a key document in the early 60's feminist awakening, depicting as it does a horrendous case study of gallic male chauvinism toward an intelligent and faithful woman. Despite the obvious soapiness of the plot, Bergman makes the movie version credible. Her soulful eyes and sad little smile enhance a lovable portrayal of the heroine Paula. Few other actresses of the time had the presence and skill to bring this off -- allowing us to fathom the almost tragic depth of the jejeune Phillip's fascination with a gorgeous "older woman" while avoiding the appearance of silliness which might have, but does not, taint Paula's irrational loyalty to Roger. In short, Ingrid probably set the standard for the many subsequent portrayals of more successful independent yet loving women. The rest of the cast helps too -- Montand's magnetism makes Paula's continuing love for the cad almost believable and, for once, Anthony Perkins' stereotypical "spoiled rich boy " portrayal is right on target and his infatuation convincing.