La discrète (1990)

There is an author who has been dumped by his girlfriend and has no inspiration for a next novel. In an attempt to find a solution to both crises, he, along with his publisher friend, ... See full summary »

Director:

Christian Vincent

Writers:

Christian Vincent, Jean-Pierre Ronssin

Stars:

Fabrice Luchini, Judith Henry, Maurice Garrel

5 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Fabrice Luchini	...	Antoine
Judith Henry	...	Catherine
Maurice Garrel	...	Jean
Marie Bunel	...	Solange
François Toumarkine	...	Manu
Brice Beaugier	...	Solange's Friend
Yvette Petit	...	Baker's Wife
Nicole Félix	...	Monique
Olivier Achard	...	Customer
Serge Riaboukine	...	Cafe Waiter
Katia Popova	...	Girl in Cafe
Amy Laviètes	...	Ewa
Hélène Hardouin	...	Catherine's Friend
Marie Verdi	...	Woman in Restaurant
Pierre Gérald	...	Scientist

Storyline

There is an author who has been dumped by his girlfriend and has no inspiration for a next novel. In an attempt to find a solution to both crises, he, along with his publisher friend, decides to seduce a young woman with the singular purpose of keeping a diary of the seduction and then dump her before publishing the book about it. Unfortunately he falls in love with her.

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Plot Keywords:

diary | publisher | book | seduction | liar | 

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Details

Country:

France

Language:

French

Release Date:

21 November 1990 (France)

Also Known As:

The Discreet

Filming Locations:

Paris, France

Box Office

Gross:

$229,160 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

France 3 Cinéma, Les Productions Lazennec, Sara Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

94 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Did You Know?

Connections

Version of In the Company of Men (1997)

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Soundtracks

"Sonate K 87"
Written by Domenico Scarlatti
Performed by Jay Gottlieb

User Reviews

in the company of men

An egotistical writer is unexpectedly jilted by his girlfriend (before he has a chance to do the same to her), and in a moment of self-pity accepts a bizarre proposal from his publisher: seduce a woman at random, dump her at the moment of conquest, and keep a running diary (to be published afterward) of the entire affair. Not surprisingly, he finds himself at first annoyed, then intrigued, then attracted to his chosen victim, but what could have been just another variation of a sentimental romantic formula becomes, instead, a witty and often cynical portrait of male vanity and vulnerability. This is one of those rare examples of a near flawless script matched to a director able to maintain a genuine sense of style, without all the phony, flashy technical showmanship so popular with young filmmakers eager to make a quick impression. The finished film walks a fine line between the credible and the contrived without once missing a step, softening its already sharp (and sometimes savage) observations behind an understated, gently deprecating tone.