The Soft Skin (1964)

Pierre Lachenay is a well-known publisher and lecturer, married with Franca and father of Sabine, around 10. He meets an air hostess, Nicole. They start a love affair, which Pierre is hiding, but he cannot stand staying away from her.

Director:

François Truffaut

Writers:

François Truffaut (original scenario) (as F. Truffaut), Jean-Louis Richard (original scenario)

Stars:

Jean Desailly, Françoise Dorléac, Nelly Benedetti

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Credited cast:
Jean Desailly	...	Pierre Lachenay
Françoise Dorléac	...	Nicole (as Françoise Dorleac)
Nelly Benedetti	...	Franca Lachenay
Daniel Ceccaldi	...	Clément
Laurence Badie	...	Ingrid
Philippe Dumat	...	Directeur cinéma Reims
Paule Emanuele	...	Odile
Maurice Garrel	...	Bontemps
Sabine Haudepin	...	Sabine Lachenay
Dominique Lacarrière	...	La secrétaire Dominique
Jean Lanier	...	Michel
Pierre Risch	...	Chanoine
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Maurice Magalon

Storyline

Pierre Lachenay, a middle-aged, well-known publisher and lecturer, is married to Franca, an unbalanced woman, and father of Sabine, a 10-year-old girl. While traveling to Lisbon for a lecture, Pierre Lachenay has a one night stand with Nicole, the Panair do Brasil air stewardess. He wants to see her again and again, they travel to Reims together, and Pierre hides the affair from his family, mostly to spare his daughter the anguish of a separation. Nicole is taking it lightly but Pierre, misunderstanding her feelings and expectations, decides to live with her. The couple's break-up leads to a tragic end.

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Plot Keywords:

neglected wife | adultery | flight attendant | airport | reims | 

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Taglines:

The Eternal Triangle At Its Most Eternal

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

This film is part of the Criterion Collection, spine #749.

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Goofs

Pierre and Nicole are in a hotel elevator approaching the 8th floor, Pierre is on the right side. The following shot from outside the elevator shows Pierre on the opposite side.

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Quotes

Pierre Lachenay: I've learned that men's unhappiness arises from the inability to stay quietly in their own room.

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Connections

Featured in E-Love (2011)

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Soundtracks

Retour À L'Hôtel
Written and Performed by Georges Delerue Et Son Orchestre

User Reviews

French Love

Pierre Lachenay (Jean Desailly) is a well-known publisher and lecturer, married to Franca (Nelly Benedetti) and the father of 10-year old Sabine (Sabine Haudepin). He meets stewardess Nicole (Françoise Dorléac) and they start a hidden affair, but Pierre cannot stand staying away from her.

Glenn Heath Jr. called the film "a mesmerizing morality play detailing the machinations of adultery and their deadly consequences." That sums it up. But indeed, the French have become synonymous with love and romance (though it is not clear why, since they are also seen as smelly and hairy). Here we have a story that shows the difficult part of love: aging.

Although not appreciated in its time, the film looks beautiful and is easily on par with "Jules and Jim".

Details

Country:

France

Language:

French Portuguese English

Release Date:

20 April 1964 (France)

Also Known As:

The Soft Skin

Filming Locations:

Lisbon, Portugal

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$11,206, 25 April 1999

Gross USA:

$509

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$13,118

Company Credits

Production Co:

Les Films du Carrosse, Societé d'Exploitation et de Distribution de Films (SEDIF), Simar Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

113 min 119 min (director's cut) 110 min (cut)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1