6.1/10
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23 user 29 critic

L'ennui (1998)

| Romance, Drama | 16 December 1998 (France)
L'ennui Poster
Martin is a philosophy teacher in the midst of a mid-life crisis. Lacking direction or purpose in his life, he initiates an affair with Cécilia, a young artist's model who might have killed her former lover.

Director:

Cédric Kahn

Writers:

Cédric Kahn (adaptation), Laurence Ferreira Barbosa (adaptation) | 1 more credit »

Stars:

Charles Berling, Sophie Guillemin, Arielle Dombasle | See full cast & crew »
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1 win & 5 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Charles Berling ... Martin
Sophie Guillemin ... Cécilia
Arielle Dombasle ... Sophie
Robert Kramer Robert Kramer ... Meyers
Alice Grey Alice Grey ... Cécilia's Mother
Maurice Antoni Maurice Antoni ... Cécilia's Father
Tom Ouedraogo Tom Ouedraogo ... Momo
Patrick Arrachequesne Patrick Arrachequesne ... Doctor
Mirtha Caputi Medeiros Mirtha Caputi Medeiros ... Meyers' concierge
Pierre Chevalier Pierre Chevalier ... University dean
Oury Milshtein Oury Milshtein ... Jean-Paul
Anne-Sophie Morillon Anne-Sophie Morillon ... Agnes
Marc Chouppart Marc Chouppart ... Ferdinand
Cécile Reigher Cécile Reigher ... Ferdinand's girlfriend
Antoine Beau Antoine Beau ... Pierre
See full cast »
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Storyline

Martin is a middle-aged philosophy teacher in the midst of a mid-life crisis. Lacking direction or purpose in his life, he initiates an affair with Cécilia, a young artist's model who might have killed her former lover with the intensity of her sexual appetite. They share a purely erotic relationship as an intellectual abyss separates them. Before long, he needs to possess her and cannot resist a sharp descent into violent jealousy. Written by lament

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

sex scene | rough sex | sex in car | pubic hair | unsimulated sex | See All (83) »

Genres:

Romance | Drama

Certificate:

See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »
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Details

Country:

France | Portugal

Language:

French

Release Date:

16 December 1998 (France) See more »

Also Known As:

L'ennui See more »
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Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$14,064, 10 October 1999

Gross USA:

$36,666
See more on IMDbPro »

Company Credits

Production Co:

Gemini Films, Ima Films, Madragoa Filmes See more »
Show more on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
See full technical specs »
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Did You Know?

Quotes

Sophie: Abstinence is turning you sour; give it up.
Martin: I have.
Sophie: Really? Do I know her?
Martin: No, I met her in odd circumstances a few weeks ago.
Sophie: Really? You must be pleased.
Martin: You're quite wrong, I don't like her at all. She's totally uninteresting. I'm trying to get rid of her.
Sophie: Why? Is she ugly?
Martin: Not particularly.
Sophie: Is she stupid then?
Martin: No. Not at all. She never says anything stupid. It's complicated. She bores me. I have no contact with her. Or rather only physical contact.
[...]
See more »

Connections

Version of The Empty Canvas (1963) See more »

Soundtracks

La prieta Linda
Written by Memo Zalamanca
Performed by Orchestre Hermanos Castro
See more »

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User Reviews

Beware: The title says it all...
23 May 2003 | by products-1 – See all my reviews

The film got good reviews in the UK when screened on TV, described in the listings as an "erotic, comedy drama...with outstanding performances". Erotic - not for me; comedy - definitely not(dreary and humourless throughout); drama - yes but with minimalist plot and unengaging theme; outstanding performances - both leads failed to provoke much interest in either their character or plight. We all have different tastes and interests but I have to warn you... other than it was another exercise in improving my French, I really felt I had wasted two hours. If you are not enjoying it after half an hour my advice would be give it up - it does not get better.
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