Roundabout (1989)
"Un tour de manège" (original title)

Al and Elsa have been a couple for some time, but the chances that their relationship will be long-lived are few. For one thing, Al is appallingly dependent on Elsa for his every emotional ... See full summary »

Director:

Pierre Pradinas

Writers:

Alain Gautre, Pierre Pradinas,

Stars:

Juliette Binoche, François Cluzet, Thierry Gimenez

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Juliette Binoche	...	Elsa
François Cluzet	...	Al
Thierry Gimenez	...	Duc
Daniel Jégou	...	Sylvain
Jean-Chrétien Sibertin-Blanc	...	Olivier Rateau
Denis Lavant	...	Berville
Thierry Fortineau	...	Jo
Albert Prévost	...	Montaigne
Brigitte Catillon	...	Karine
Michel Aumont	...	Directeur de la banque
Riccardo Freda	...	Ricardo, le réalisateur
Jean-Claude Lecas	...	Benoît
Claire Pascal	...	Jul
Soizic Arsal	...	Jeanne
Michel Francini	...	Emilio Giliotti

Storyline

Al and Elsa have been a couple for some time, but the chances that their relationship will be long-lived are few. For one thing, Al is appallingly dependent on Elsa for his every emotional need. For another, Elsa is an incredibly elusive person, extremely difficult to pin down about anything - especially whatever is bothering her. How they have managed to survive this long is a cause for wonder. When Al gets an opportunity to be cast in a movie role, complete with no-cost occupancy in the casting agent's ugly but fashionable apartment, he jumps at the chance to provide a little material satisfaction for his beloved Elsa. But what exactly does she want?

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Plot Keywords:

casting agent | paris france | improvisation | film director | cameo | 

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Romance

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Details

Country:

France

Language:

French

Release Date:

29 March 1989 (France)

Also Known As:

La deuxième fois

Filming Locations:

Paris, France

Company Credits

Production Co:

Gaumont, AB Films, Au Progrès du singe

Technical Specs

Runtime:

80 min

Color:

Color (Fujicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Daniel Auteuil had been cast in the lead role but was replaced by François Cluzet, who had worked regularly in theatre with Pierre Pradinas.

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Goofs

When Al is seen smoking a cigarette out the window, reflection of the crew can clearly be seen in the glass of the window.

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Connections

References L'Atalante (1934)

User Reviews

Beautiful but somewhat bland

"Roundabout" or "Un Tour de Manege" starring French superstar Juliette Binoche is an attractive film in it's packaging but ultimately has very little of value to say. The story concerns a couple Al and Elsa who's relationship is revitalized when he is offered a role in a film and moves into a swanky new apartment, however Al's band of friends and Elsa's stalker cause problems for the couple.

The film is visually very beautiful, and it is very easy to see why Juliette Binoche has emerged as the star of French cinema, however this is not a particularly good showcase for her considerable talent. François Cluzet as Al is also very good but unremarkable... "Roundabout" is little more than a curio...