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 & 6 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 choose Fanny Ardant when he saw her in the TV series Les dames de la côte (1979).

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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 Sneak Previews: Time Bandits, The Pursuit of D.B. Cooper, The Woman Next Door, Man of Iron (1981)

User Reviews

old lovers. awkwardly reunited

Family man Gérard Depardieu is disturbed to learn his new neighbor is, by sheer coincidence, ex-lover Fanny Ardant. Both are happily married, but that doesn't stop them from resuming their affair, with tragic consequences.

The script is nothing new, but François Truffaut's intelligent treatment of the otherwise familiar story avoids the more obvious clichés of popular romantic fiction. It hardly ranks among the director's best efforts, but a pair of talented co-stars and the typically French pre-occupation with l'amour fou help maintain interest all the way to the startling conclusion.

Details

Country:

France

Language:

English 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