My Sex Life... or How I Got Into an Argument (1996)

Paul Dedalus is at a crossroads in his life. He has to make several decisions; should he complete his doctorate, does he want to become a full professor, does he really love his ... See full summary »

Director:

Arnaud Desplechin

Writers:

Emmanuel Bourdieu, Arnaud Desplechin

Stars:

Mathieu Amalric, Emmanuelle Devos, Emmanuel Salinger

1 win & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Mathieu Amalric	...	Paul Dedalus
Emmanuelle Devos	...	Esther
Emmanuel Salinger	...	Nathan
Marianne Denicourt	...	Sylvia
Thibault de Montalembert	...	Bob
Chiara Mastroianni	...	Patricia
Denis Podalydès	...	Jean-Jacques
Jeanne Balibar	...	Valérie
Fabrice Desplechin	...	Ivan
Hélène Lapiower	...	Le Mérou
Michel Vuillermoz	...	Frédéric Rabier
Roland Amstutz	...	Chernov
Marion Cotillard	...	Student
Solenn Jarniou	...	Pascale
Philippe Duclos	...	Spiritual Accompanist

Storyline

Paul Dedalus is at a crossroads in his life. He has to make several decisions; should he complete his doctorate, does he want to become a full professor, does he really love his long-standing girlfriend, or should he re-start with one of his other lovers? Is he avoiding the despairing life his father can't escape from ?

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Plot Keywords:

girl in bra and panties | gynecological exam | breasts | white panties | pubic hair | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Details

Country:

France

Language:

French

Release Date:

17 September 1997 (USA)

Also Known As:

My Sex Life... or How I Got Into an Argument

Filming Locations:

Paris, France

Company Credits

Production Co:

France 2 Cinéma, La Sept Cinéma, Why Not Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

178 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Director Arnaud Desplechin originally wanted to name the movie "Comment je me suis disputé avec Éric Barbier" (How I Got Into An Argument With Eric Barbier), as a dig at former colleague Eric Barbier, also the basis for movie character Frédéric Rabier. A justice decision prevented him from using the full title, hence the ellipsis and the added subtitle.

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Connections

Followed by My Golden Days (2015)

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Soundtracks

Heaven is 19 Zillion light years away
Written by Stevie Wonder

User Reviews

How I Got Sidetracked

It's fair to say that had I not found Rois et Reine so rich, complex and ultimately enjoyable I may not have taken the trouble (to say nothing of the three hours needed) to watch this earlier work by Arnaud Desplechin toplining the same two very fine actors (Manu Devos and Mathieu Almaric). The fact that this time around the duo were supported by the likes of Jeanne Balibar, Denis Podalydes, Marion Cotillard and Chiara Mastroianni merely sweetened the pot but it has to be said that Desplechin doesn't make it easy. Almaric plays a University lecturer named Paul Dedaulus, a name surely not chosen at random. Daedalus, in Greek mythology was the father of Icarus, who flew too near the sun, but apart from that Daedalus was on straight commission from King Minos of Crete for whom he created among other things, the maze and the Minotaur in the centre of it. I'm betting twelve to seven that Desplechin had that very same maze in mind when he dreamed up this labyrinthine storyline of a man who is constantly taking wrong turnings in his attempt to move forward in his life. As a vacillator this guy can leave Hamlet dead in the water; should he stay with Devos - with whom he has been in an on/off relationship for ten years - or should he attempt to make and/or get a firm commitment from one of the three other girls with whom he is involved. At the end of three hours your guess is as good as mine but it is also fair to say that along the way we have been treated to some very fine acting indeed though whether it has any point is moot. Those, like me, who enjoy watching French actors - without question some of the finest in the world - in their early careers will find this enthralling for that reason alone. Those will little or no interest in French actors, fine or otherwise, may well be bemused, bored or both.