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 | love | 

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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

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, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$401,786, 15 August 1999

Company Credits

Production Co:

Orsans 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

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

Stand By
Performed by Georges Bodossian

User Reviews

Huppert is mesmerizing, but film drags

I went to this film based solely on the reputation of Isabelle Huppert. I had heard she was one of the greatest actresses in Europe.

Well I have to agree, she is fantastically attractive and talented, and you could watch her for hours, but unfortunately that's what this film seemed like. I don't often fall asleep in the movies but I almost did on this one...

I guess my main problem with the film was that there was never any motivation that I could see for why such an ostensibly attractive and successful woman would do some of the things she did: take in this raggamuffin with the dubious past, and then proceed to take all of his bad treatment, infidelity, and neglect, while feeding and clothing him and giving him a place to live. I guess we are to assume he was just that good in bed, but I think the film would have benefited from a little more "flesh"ing out of the reasons behind the actions. Some will probably say I missed the "nuances" but I just kept asking *why* is she doing this, from their first date when she hung around while he played video games, through to the end. To me it just perpetuated the myth that women are suckers for a pretty face.

But all that said, it was still a pleasure to watch Huppert and I will look for her in other films at my video store.