The Woman Next Door (1981)

Two ex-lovers wind up living next door to each other with their respective spouses. Forbidden passions ensue.

Director:

François Truffaut

Writers:

François Truffaut (original scenario), Suzanne Schiffman (original scenario)

Stars:

Gérard Depardieu, Fanny Ardant, Henri Garcin

2 wins & 5 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Gérard Depardieu	...	Bernard Coudray
Fanny Ardant	...	Mathilde Bauchard
Henri Garcin	...	Philippe Bauchard
Michèle Baumgartner	...	Arlette Coudray
Roger Van Hool	...	Roland Duguet
Véronique Silver	...	Madame Odile Jouve
Philippe Morier-Genoud	...	Doctor
Nicole Vauthier
Muriel Combe
Olivier Becquaert	...	Thomas Coudray

Storyline

Madame Jouve, the narrator, tells the tragedy of Bernard and Mathilde. Bernard was living happily with his wife Arlette and his son Thomas. One day, a couple, Philippe and Mathilde Bauchard, moves into the next house. This is the accidental reunion of Bernard and Mathilde, who had a passionate love affair years ago. The relationship revives... A somber study of human feelings.

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Plot Keywords:

extramarital affair | adultery | hand up skirt | lift skirt | feeling woman's legs up her skirt or dress | 

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

R

Did You Know?

Trivia

François Truffaut decided to write the script of this movie when he saw Gérard Depardieu and Fanny Ardant sit side-by-side at the Cesar's night.

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Quotes

[last lines]
Madame Odile Jouve: I suspect that Mathilde and Bernard won't be buried together. if I had to select an epitaph for them it would be, "Neither with you, nor without you.", but I doubt whether I'll be asked.

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Connections

Featured in François Truffaut: Portraits volés (1993)

User Reviews

Authors of their own destruction

A young, almost boyish Gerard Depardieu stars in 'The Woman Next Door', one of Francois Truffaut's later films. In some ways, it's a stereotypically French affair, a stylish and urbane story of passionate love. But the film itself, though nicely observed, fails to really catch fire. One reason may be the fact that their isn't much in the way of character development, not because the characters are one-dimensional but because they are fully described in the premise, and change little thereafter. We are told that the central figures are in love, but know they could not live together, and what follows is merely the logical exposition of this. Another is that they themselves seem the biggest obstacles to their own happiness. Therefore, though the film is watchable throughout, as a whole it amounts to little more than a collection of its parts, rather than a great and profound tragedy. Other work by this director packed a greater punch.

Details

Country:

France

Language:

French

Release Date:

30 September 1981 (France)

Also Known As:

The Woman Next Door

Filming Locations:

Chemin des Batellières, Bernin, Isère, 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, TF1 Films Production

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Fujicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1