The Hairdresser's Husband (1990)
"Le mari de la coiffeuse" (original title)

Twelve-year-old Antoine falls profoundly in love with a voluptuous but suicidal hairdresser, a formative experience he never forgets. Much later in life, he seeks to repeat his romance by ... See full summary »

Director:

Patrice Leconte

Writers:

Claude Klotz, Patrice Leconte

Stars:

Jean Rochefort, Anna Galiena, Roland Bertin

Nominated for 1 BAFTA Film Award. Another 1 win & 7 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jean Rochefort	...	Antoine
Anna Galiena	...	Mathilde
Roland Bertin	...	Antoine's father
Maurice Chevit	...	Ambroise Dupré dit Isidore Agopian
Philippe Clévenot	...	Morvoisieux
Jacques Mathou	...	Julien Gora
Claude Aufaure	...	Gay Costomer
Albert Delpy	...	Donecker
Henry Hocking	...	Antoine - Age 12
Ticky Holgado	...	Morvoisieux Son-in-Law
Michèle Laroque	...	Adopted Child's Mother
Anne-Marie Pisani	...	Madame Shaeffer
Pierre Meyrand	...	Antoine's Brother
Yveline Ailhaud	...	Antoine's Mother
Julien Bukowski	...	Gloomy Man

Storyline

Twelve-year-old Antoine falls profoundly in love with a voluptuous but suicidal hairdresser, a formative experience he never forgets. Much later in life, he seeks to repeat his romance by marrying Mathilde - also voluptuous and also a hairdresser - with whom he forms an intimate and consuming relationship in an attempt to blot out the miseries of this world from their lives.

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Plot Keywords:

hairdresser | love | barber shop | barber | marriage | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for sexuality

Details

Country:

France

Language:

French

Release Date:

3 October 1990 (France)

Also Known As:

The Hairdresser's Husband

Filming Locations:

Barneville-Carteret, Manche, France

Box Office

Gross:

$1,200,000 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Lambart Productions, TF1 Films Production, Centre National de la Cinématographie (CNC)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

82 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

When Mathilde shampoos the bearded customer, the hand holding the water sprayer changes between shots.

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Quotes

Mathilde: [Lettre:] Mon amour, je m'en vais avant que tu t'en ailles. Je m'en vais avant que tu ne me désires plus, parce que alors il ne nous restera que la tendresse et je sais que ça ne sera pas suffisant. Je m'en vais avant d'être malheureuse. Je m'en vais en apportant le goût de nos étreintes, en apportant ton odeur, ton regard, tes baisers. Je m'en vais en apportant les souvenirs des plus belles années de ma vie, celles que tu m'as données. Je t'embrasse longuement, jusqu'à mourrir. Je t'ai toujours...

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Connections

Featured in Zomergasten: Episode #10.3 (1997)

User Reviews

Married to the hairdresser

Antoine's love for women is clear, something that began in his young days. He must have his hair cut by the plump woman hairdresser whose mere presence inspires awe and passion in the little boy. Getting close to her breasts is just pure ecstasy for him. He is the best groomed boy in his town thanks to the frequent visits he pays to have his hair cut.

When Antoine grows up, the old hairdresser has gone. In her place, the lovely Mathilde arrives. Antoine's first encounter with Mathilde is not exactly one that would endear himself to the young woman, who is lovely in a mysterious way that is music to him. Eventually, they marry and seem to live a good life until fate intervenes to separate them in a way Antoine didn't envisioned.

This lovely comedy directed with great charm by Patrice Leconte is a joy to watch. The director was lucky in engaging one of the best French film comedians, Jean Rochefort. As Antoine, he is the best thing in this tender story of love and loss. Anna Galiena who plays Mathilde is perfect. Both actors are amazing in the film.

"The Hairdresser's Husband" is an enjoyable love story that will please fans of Mr. Rochefort and Mr. Leconte.