Monique (1969)

Director:

John Bown

Writer:

John Bown (writer)

Release Date:

14 December 1970 (Denmark)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

...enjoys both ways.

Plot:

Monique is a vivacious French au pair girl who not only looks after the children, but also sexually satisfies the parents.

Plot Keywords:

Au Pair | Ménage À Trois | Lesbian | Sex | Nudity

Cast

David Sumner	...	Bill
Joan Alcorn	...	Jean
Sibylla Kay	...	Monique
Nicola Bown	...	Susan
Jacob Fitz-Jones	...	Edward
Davilia O'Connor	...	Harriet
Carol Hawkins	...	Blonde Girl (as Carolanne Hawkins)
Howard Rawlinson	...	Richard

Runtime:

USA:88 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

UK:18 (video rating) | UK:X (original rating) | Finland:K-16 | Norway:18 | USA:X

Company:

Tigon

Trivia:

Susan is played by the real-life daughter of John Bown and Sibylla Kay

Movie Connections:

Featured in Twisted Sex Vol. 16 (1996) (V)

It's not what you think!

A new and more liberal censor was appointed in Britain in the 1960's, and one of the results was a rash of 'sexploitation' productions. (But only in the sense that they were able to show some nudity and suggest sexual activity - even by current 'soft core' standards, they were rather tame.) These films were cheap, tacky, and forgettable. But this one is different.

For a start, not only does it actually have a proper script, but the photoplay is literate and rather witty. The characters and the setting (suburbia in South East England) are believable. The acting, although not memorable, is good.

The approach is unique to the genre, in the sense that the sex is placed in some kind of context, whether it is the problematic marriage, the wife's hidden bisexuality, or the free spirited nature of the au pair. It includes a picture of ordinary family life,including the relationship between parent and child. And it appears to be the first British film to tackle the then hushed subject of 'troilism' (which was being featured in some of the tabloid papers at the time).

You will see very little sex in Monique. But you will see sexual tension that almost makes the screen crackle, genuine eroticism, and very witty observations. (All three of them are in bed, and drift into a conversation about the abstract painting on the wall. Perhaps it's hung at the wrong angle...so they all lean to one side.)

In panning the mud, a gold nugget has been found.