The School of Flesh (1998)

Fashion executive Dominique's obsession for Quentin, a young bisexual hustler, fills her desire for physical love but leaves her taxed emotionally. Twists and turns in the relationship, ... See full summary »

Director:

Benoît Jacquot

Writers:

Jacques Fieschi, Yukio Mishima (novel)

Stars:

Isabelle Huppert, Vincent Martinez, Vincent Lindon

4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Isabelle Huppert	...	Dominique
Vincent Martinez	...	Quentin
Vincent Lindon	...	Chris
Marthe Keller	...	Madame Thorpe
François Berléand	...	Soukaz
Danièle Dubroux	...	L'amie de Dominique
Bernard Le Coq	...	Cordier
Roxane Mesquida	...	Marine
Jean-Louis Richard	...	M. Thorpe
Jean-Claude Dauphin	...	Louis-Guy
Michelle Goddet	...	La mère de Quentin
Laurent Jumeaucourt	...	Le jeune plombier
Pierre Laroche	...	Robert
Richard Schroeder	...	Le photographe
Jan-Michell	...	Marcus

Storyline

Fashion executive Dominique's obsession for Quentin, a young bisexual hustler, fills her desire for physical love but leaves her taxed emotionally. Twists and turns in the relationship, along with the man's violent and abusive nature, force Dominique to reconcile the conflicts created by her passion. In this quest, Dominique is aided [and sometimes hindered] by friends, clients, and Quentin's former and current acquaintances.

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Plot Keywords:

obsession | foreign language adaptation | sex | based on novel | erotic male body | 

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Taglines:

Lessons in Love, Sex and Betrayal

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Genres:

Drama | Mystery | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and some strong sexuality

Did You Know?

Quotes

Dominique: For the room.
Quentin: That's too much...
Dominique: The rest is for you.
Quentin: I don't want it.
Dominique: Why not?
Quentin: It was good for me too.
Dominique: No, take it.
Quentin: You don't get it...
Dominique: Let's say I'm buying your phone number...
Quentin: Deal.

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Soundtracks

Te Fuiste De Mi Vera
Performed by Perla de Cadiz

User Reviews

A delicate handling of potentially sordid relationships.

"Middle-aged divorcee picks up barman in gay bar" isn't a promising plot-line; the title's soft-porn suggestion is also off-putting. But in fact it's a delicate and attractive handling of what could have been sordid relationships. The key word, I suppose, is "tender"; we are frequently led to expect violence (the barman Quentin is a kick-boxer - we watch him attacking a punchbag during the title sequence) but are instead surprised by reasonableness and gentleness. The few nude scenes manage to be erotic without ever being vulgar. Relationships are weird, the film (and Mishima's novel) seems to say, but there can still be tenderness in life. Isabelle Huppert exudes French charm . . .

Details

Country:

France Luxembourg Belgium

Language:

French

Release Date:

26 February 1999 (USA)

Also Known As:

The School of Flesh

Filming Locations:

Hôtel la Mamounia, Avenue Bab Jdid, Marrakech, Morocco

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$43,021, 28 February 1999

Gross USA:

$402,668

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$402,668

Company Credits

Production Co:

Pyramide Productions, V.M. Productions, La Sept Cinéma

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min (cut)

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1