My American Uncle
(1980)
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My American Uncle
(1980)
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| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Gérard Depardieu | ... |
René Ragueneau
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| Nicole Garcia | ... |
Janine Garnier
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Roger Pierre | ... |
Jean Le Gall
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Nelly Borgeaud | ... |
Arlette Le Gall
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| Pierre Arditi | ... |
Zambeaux, le représentant de la direction générale à Paris
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Gérard Darrieu | ... |
Léon Veestrate
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Philippe Laudenbach | ... |
Michel Aubert
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Marie Dubois | ... |
Thérèse Ragueneau
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Henri Laborit | ... |
Himself
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Bernard Malaterre | ... |
Le père de Jean
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Laurence Roy | ... |
La mère de Jean
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Alexandre Rignault | ... |
Le grand-père de Jean /
Jean's Grandfather
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Véronique Silver | ... |
La mère de Janine
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Jean Lescot | ... |
Le père de Janine
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Geneviève Mnich | ... |
La mère de René
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Prof. Henri Laborit uses the stories of the lives of three people to discuss behaviorist theories of survival, combat, rewards and punishment, and anxiety. René is a technical manager at a textile factory and must face the anxiety caused by corporate downsizing. Janine is a self-educated actress/stylist who learns that the wife of her lover is dying and must decide to let them reunite. Jean is a controversial career-climbing writer/politician at a crossroads in life. Written by Dragomir R. Radev <radev@cs.columbia.edu>
I've seen this film twice. The first time, it told me how to view the world. The second time, it represented my view of the world. Everyone's actions are determined by a small number of forces, it says. Everyone's behavior fits into only four categories, it says. And yet, it presents such a wide range of emotions, actions, and thoughts that it seems to contradict its very hypothesis. And yet, it doesn't. Turn your brain on and watch this; give it time to sink in, then watch it again. I guarantee it will change your way of looking at the world. The editing is top-notch, and Resnais is at the top of his form, as he was 20 years earlier with Hiroshima Mon Amour. The ending is a stunner, and it encapsulates the film while at the same time extending its meaning. The cinematography and message will remind you of Resnais' Night and Fog. Brilliant performances from all three leads and Laborit. Give it time, use your brain, and view it multiple times. You will be rewarded.