A Certain Smile (1958)

Dominique, a law student at the Sorbonne, is engaged to a fellow classmate. Unfortunately, she's more attracted to his philandering Uncle Luc, who's married to the charming Francoise. Dominique and Luc begin a tawdry affair.

Director:

Jean Negulesco

Writers:

Frances Goodrich (screenplay), Albert Hackett (screenplay)

Stars:

Rossano Brazzi, Joan Fontaine, Bradford Dillman

Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview:
Rossano Brazzi	...	Luc Ferrand
Joan Fontaine	...	Françoise Ferrand
Bradford Dillman	...	Bertrand Griot
Christine Carère	...	Dominique Vallon (as Christine Carere)
Eduard Franz	...	M. Vallon
Katherine Locke	...	Mme. Vallon
Kathryn Givney	...	Mme. Griot
Steven Geray	...	Denis
Johnny Mathis	...	Self
Trude Wyler	...	Mme. Denis
Sandy Livingston	...	Catherine
Renate Hoy	...	Mlle. Minot
Muzaffer Tema	...	Pierre

Storyline

Dominique, a law student at the Sorbonne, is engaged to a fellow classmate. Unfortunately, she's more attracted to his philandering Uncle Luc, who's married to the charming Francoise. Dominique and Luc begin a tawdry affair.

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Plot Keywords:

summer vacation | french riviera | foreign language adaptation | based on novel | nightclub | 

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Taglines:

A girl looks at a boy with a certain smile and something happens...a girl looks at a man with a certain smile and something else happens

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

The first feature film of Bradford Dillman.

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Connections

Referenced in Hollywood Screen Tests: Take 2 (1999)

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Soundtracks

A Certain Smile
Music by Sammy Fain
Lyrics by Paul Francis Webster
Sung by Johnny Mathis

User Reviews

No substance but Sagan's story has lots of style...

Here's a film that's boosted by its spectacular scenic splendor and a lovely title tune, A CERTAIN SMILE, sung by Johnny Mathis and immediately becoming one of his favorite hit tunes, which is about the only thing that will linger in your memory once the tawdry tale is over.

The simple story is a trifle (as all of Francoise Sagan's novels are), dealing as it does with the subject of flirtation and affairs. The affair is between a pretty young law student studying at the Sorbonne, CHRISTINE CARRERE, and ROSSANO BRAZZI, her Uncle Luc who is married to the sophisticated JOAN FONTAINE. Christine is also being pursued by a fellow law student, BRADFORD DILLMAN, but seems to prefer Brazzi's continental charm to callow youth.

Most of the trite story centers on the budding romance between Brazzi and Carrere, leaving Fontaine on the sidelines wondering what the glances between the two really mean. Does it really matter? She gazes with sophisticated charm at Johnny Mathis as he sings "A Certain Smile", all the while knowing that her husband is a philanderer.

It really has nothing new to say, but can be enjoyed on the basis of its CinemaScope grandeur and the performances of the leads, all of whom have done better work elsewhere and are pretty much wasted here.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 September 1958 (West Germany)

Also Known As:

Una cierta sonrisa

Filming Locations:

Paris, France

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox

Technical Specs

Runtime:

104 min

Sound Mix:

4-Track Stereo (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1