We Won't Grow Old Together (1972)

A husband and wife in a loveless marriage struggle to remain ignorant to their failed relationship.

Director:

Maurice Pialat

Writer:

Maurice Pialat (based on the novel by)

Stars:

Marlène Jobert, Jean Yanne, Christine Fabréga

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Marlène Jobert	...	Catherine
Jean Yanne	...	Jean
Christine Fabréga	...	Mère de Catherine
Patricia Pierangeli	...	Annie
Jacques Galland	...	Père de Catherine
Maurice Risch	...	Michel
Harry-Max	...	Père de Jean
Muse Dalbray	...	La grand-mère de Catherine
Macha Méril	...	Françoise

Storyline

Jean has been married to Francoise for years, but his relationship with his wife has been all but over for a long time. She's hardly ever around, always traveling to Russia for work, and she drifts in and out of the film as well, reflecting the ephemeral nature of their marriage.

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Plot Keywords:

statement in title | woman wearing only a man's shirt | dysfunctional marriage | marriage problems | older husband younger wife relationship | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [France]

Country:

France Italy

Language:

French

Release Date:

7 September 1972 (Italy)

Also Known As:

We Won't Grow Old Together

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$1,016, 16 November 2012, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$14,104, 9 June 2013

Company Credits

Production Co:

Lido Films,Empire Films

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Jean Yanne had his wife dying in a hospital during the shooting of the movie.

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Connections

Featured in In a Year with 13 Moons (1978)

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Soundtracks

LA CREATION
("By thee with grace")
Franz Joseph Haydn (as Haydn)
Musica AEterna
direction Frederic Waldman
DECCA 410 002
Soprano: Judith Raskin (uncredited)
Tenor: John McCollum (uncredited)
Bass: Chester Watson (uncredited)

User Reviews

Pathetic wish-fulfillment movie

The French film "Nous ne vieillirons pas ensemble" was shown in the U.S. as "We Won't Grow Old Together (1972)". It was written by Maurice Pialat, directed by Maurice Pialat, based on a novel by (can you guess) Maurice Pialat.

Pialat was known as an arrogant and unpleasant person, and he's written a novel about a middle-aged guy who is arrogant and unpleasant, but is nevertheless loved and respected by everyone he meets. Jean (played by Jean Yanne) does some sort of work in cinema, although the only work we ever see him doing is filming a crowd scene for a few seconds as he walks along with a hand-held camera. Also, at one point, Jean is painting his apartment, and he's reminded that he's supposed to "work on that script."

Marlène Jobert plays Jean's girl friend, Catherine. Catherine, who is much younger than Jean, is long-suffering, physically abused, and psychologically abused. Nonetheless, she always comes back for more. The physical abuse is that Jean slaps her and rips her clothing. (Maybe there's more, but we don't see it.) The psychological abuse consists of Jean telling Catherine that she's stupid, knows nothing, and is ugly. (He specifically points out that she has freckles and "rats' legs.") We can see that she's not stupid, and she doesn't know about films because he hasn't taught her anything. As for being ugly, check out Marlène Jobert on Google Image and decide for yourself.

We are repeatedly informed that Catherine and Jean have been together for six years. However, Jean is still married to Françoise, played by the beautiful Macha Méril. Françoise is apparently still under Jean's spell, because she tries to help him win Catherine back when Catherine has made one of her periodic efforts to leave the relationship.

So, what we are watching is Maurice Pialat telling us that he has that je ne sais quoi that entitles him to treat everyone badly and still be loved and respected by all. In fact, they don't just love and respect Jean, they worry about Jean. What will happen if Catherine really does leave him? Incredible.

If you're looking for a film that will frustrate you while you watch it, then this is the movie for you. I don't know if there's an opposite to a feel-good movie. If there is, this is that movie.