Bed & Board (1970)

Antoine Doinel works dying flowers in the courtyard outside his apartment. He is married to Christine, who is pregnant. He has an affair with a Japanese woman, jeopardising his marriage.

Director:

François Truffaut

Writers:

François Truffaut (scenario and dialogue), Claude de Givray (scenario and dialogue)

Stars:

Jean-Pierre Léaud, Claude Jade, Hiroko Berghauer

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jean-Pierre Léaud	...	Antoine Doinel
Claude Jade	...	Christine Darbon Doinel
Hiroko Berghauer	...	Kyoko (as Mademoiselle Hiroko)
Barbara Laage	...	Monique, la secrétaire
Danièle Girard	...	Ginette, la serveuse
Daniel Ceccaldi	...	Lucien Darbon
Claire Duhamel	...	Madame Darbon
Daniel Boulanger	...	Le voisin ténor
Silvana Blasi	...	Silvana, la femme du ténor
Pierre Maguelon	...	L'ami de Césarin
Jacques Jouanneau	...	Césarin
Claude Véga	...	Le pseudo étrangleur
Jacques Rispal	...	Monsieur Desbois
Jacques Robiolles	...	Jacques
Pierre Fabre	...	L'employé de bureau ricaneur

Storyline

Some time after "Baisers Volés", Antoine Doinel (Jean-Pierre Léaud) and Christine Darbon (Claude Jade) are married and Antoine works dying flowers, and Christine is pregnant and gives private classes of violin. When Christine is near to have a baby, Antoine decides to find a new job, and he succeeds due to a misunderstanding of his employer. In a business meeting, he meets the Japanese Kyoko (Mademoiselle Hiroko) and they have an affair. When Christine accidentally discovers that Antoine has a lover, they separate. But later they miss each other and realize that they do love each other.

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Plot Keywords:

antoine doinel character | new job | violin | japanese | japanese woman | 

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Taglines:

First Truffaut gave us "The 400 Blows." Then "Stolen Kisses"...and now Bed and Board

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Certificate:

GP

Did You Know?

Trivia

Antoine Doinel (Jean-Pierre Léaud) makes a phone call at a pay phone and asks to speak to someone named Eustache. When Eustache comes to the phone, Antoine calls him Jean. Jean Eustache would direct Jean-Pierre Leaud in The Mother and the Whore (1973) the next year.

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Quotes

Christine Doinel: Do what you have to do, but let me be. I'm not proud and never have been, so I can tell you: I still love you. But I'd rather not see you anymore.

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Connections

References The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)

User Reviews

The Second Greatest Romantic Film Ever Made!

"Bed And Board" is the fourth installment in the great Antoine Doinel (played by a maturing Jean-Pierre Leaud) film series, directed by Francois Truffaut. This film is really almost as perfect as it's predecessor "Stolen Kisses", and (in ways) almost a sort of remake, using the same characters and similar situations. The story begins with a newly weded Antoine, who works as a flower dyer, while his wife teaches musical lessons. Again, Antoine goes through his life trying to find his occupational and romantic nitch. His occupational endeavors consist of becomming the guy who electronically maneuvers model boats at an American corporation. His wife soon is pregnant with his baby boy, and the idealistic domestication becomes shakey, as Antoine begins an affair with a Japanese girl named Kyoko (played by Hiroko Berghauser). What is somewhat interesting, is the French purest attitude (or small town mind set) that seems to take place in the film. The owner of the American corporation is played by American actor Billy Kearns (can be seen playing Freddie Miles in "Purple Noon") and he's the stereotypical baffoon American. Japanese girlfriend Kyoko, is the quiet reserved Asian that thinks of romantic suicidal notions for Antoine and herself. Another outsider (who everyone in the Parisian village is afraid of, until he's found out to be a comedian/ impersonator and NOT a strangler) is treated with contempt until it has been established through media/ television performance spoken in French. But it seems that Antoine and Christine's happiness is being constantly pulled at, by French outsiders. But I suppose this is what Antoine would like us to think. Still the character who (accidently) lies and cheats his way through life. This is a far more cynical version of love, compared to "Stolen Kisses", yet all the more relevent in it's depiction of growing love pains.

The Antoine we see here is more emotionally lonesome than he ever was, yet he's married and has a kid. It still contains some of the greatest romantic moments in cinema history though. The scene where Antoine asks Christine to put her glasses on (one more time) is beautiful. Also the reversal situation of fetching wine from the wine celler, will put smiles on the faces of anyone who'd seen a similar scene as this in "Stolen Kisses". Though Antoine may not be as innocent as he once was in the earlier films, his Antoine is a far more realistic portrayel of men in general. This is truly another wonderful film by Truffaut, that would be as great as "Stolen Kisses" if it had retained some of the innocence. Highly recommended, one of my personal favourites!!! I give this a 13 out of 10!

Details

Official Sites:

Video: Dirk Jasper Filmlexikon

Country:

France Italy

Language:

French

Release Date:

9 September 1970 (France)

Also Known As:

Bed & Board

Filming Locations:

Paris, France

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$11,206, 25 April 1999

Gross USA:

$509

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$509

Company Credits

Production Co:

Les Films du Carrosse, Valoria Films, Fida Cinematografica

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1