The Hairdresser's Husband (1990)

Antoine has always been fascinated with a hairdresser's delicate touch, the beguiling perfume and the figure of a woman with an opulent bosom, moreover, he knew that he would marry one, fulfilling his dream of a perfect and idealised love.

Director:

Patrice Leconte

Writers:

Claude Klotz, Patrice Leconte

Stars:

Jean Rochefort, Anna Galiena, Roland Bertin

Nominated for 1 BAFTA Film Award. Another 1 win & 7 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jean Rochefort	...	Antoine
Anna Galiena	...	Mathilde
Roland Bertin	...	Antoine's father
Maurice Chevit	...	Ambroise Dupré dit Isidore Agopian
Philippe Clévenot	...	Morvoisieux
Jacques Mathou	...	Julien Gora
Claude Aufaure	...	Gay Costomer
Albert Delpy	...	Donecker
Henry Hocking	...	Antoine - Age 12
Ticky Holgado	...	Morvoisieux Son-in-Law
Michèle Laroque	...	Adopted Child's Mother
Anne-Marie Pisani	...	Madame A. Sheaffer
Pierre Meyrand	...	Antoine's Brother
Yveline Ailhaud	...	Antoine's Mother
Julien Bukowski	...	Gloomy Man

Storyline

Twelve-year-old Antoine falls profoundly in love with a voluptuous but suicidal hairdresser, a formative experience he never forgets. Much later in life, he seeks to repeat his romance by marrying Mathilde - also voluptuous and also a hairdresser - with whom he forms an intimate and consuming relationship in an attempt to blot out the miseries of this world from their lives.

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Plot Keywords:

hairdresser | undressing | sex | panties | kissing breasts | 

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Taglines:

Joyously Sexy, Genuinely Erotic.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for sexuality

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film is included on Roger Ebert's "Great Movies" list.

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Goofs

When Mathilde shampoos the bearded customer, the hand holding the water sprayer changes between shots.

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Quotes

Antoine: My father said life was simple, that if you wanted something enough you'd get it... Failure was proof the desire wasn't strong enough.

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Crazy Credits

Opening card:

for Zaza, who will recognize herself.

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Connections

Featured in At the Movies: Batman Returns/Cold Heaven/Housesitter/Cousin Bobby/The Hairdresser's Husband (1992)

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Soundtracks

Saalouny El Nas
Written by Ziad Rahbani
Performed by Fairuz

User Reviews

I'm A Fan Of Director Leconte

Being a Patrice Leconte-directed film, you know this is going to be nicely photographed with a lot of Sergio Leone-type facial closeups. I always appreciate that, and especially here when it is the beautiful face of Anna Galiena featured often. Some of the "portraits" of her in here would make magnificent paintings.

The story isn't much but it kept my interest in an odd way. The film had some strange scenes and some strange viewpoints on life, although I noticed much of the same secular and superstitious liberalness in many films from France. Unfortunately, that secular viewpoint can lead to tragic endings as is the case in this story which finished in a shocking manner.

However, there is some nice humor in this drama, too, such as the funny dance scenes by Jean Rochefort.

One thing about French films: they don't need a lot of action to keep your interest. They are wonderful storytellers and I usually enjoy their films, despite their odd philosophies on life.

Details

Country:

France

Language:

French Arabic

Release Date:

3 October 1990 (France)

Also Known As:

The Hairdresser's Husband

Filming Locations:

Studios 91 Arpajon, Saint-Germain-les-Arpajon, Essonne, France

Box Office

Gross USA:

$1,217,084

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$1,217,084

Company Credits

Production Co:

Lambart Productions, TF1 Films Production, Centre National du Cinéma et de l'Image Animée

Technical Specs

Runtime:

82 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1