Intimate Strangers (2004)

A Frenchwoman tells her marital troubles to a man she mistakes for a psychiatrist, and soon they form an unusual relationship.

Director:

Patrice Leconte

Writers:

Jérôme Tonnerre (scenario and dialogue), Jérôme Tonnerre (adaptation)

Stars:

Sandrine Bonnaire, Fabrice Luchini, Michel Duchaussoy

3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Sandrine Bonnaire	...	Anna
Fabrice Luchini	...	William
Michel Duchaussoy	...	Dr. Monnier
Anne Brochet	...	Jeanne
Gilbert Melki	...	Marc
Laurent Gamelon	...	Luc
Hélène Surgère	...	Mrs. Mulon
Urbain Cancelier	...	Chatel
Isabelle Petit-Jacques	...	Dr. Monnier's Secretary
Véronique Kapoyan	...	Female Guard (as Véronique Kapoian)
Benoît Pétré	...	Messenger
Albert Simono	...	Mr. Michel (as Alberto Simono)
Claude Derepp	...	The Customs Client (as Claude Dereppe)
Aurore Auteuil	...	The Student Nabokov
Ludovic Berthillot	...	The Mover

Storyline

Because she picked the wrong door, Anna ends up confessing her marriage problems to a financial adviser named William Faber. Touched by her distress, somewhat excited as well, Faber does not have the courage to tell her that he is not a psychiatrist. From appointment to appointment, a strange ritual is created between them. William is moved by the young woman and fascinated to hear the secrets that no man ever heard...

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Plot Keywords:

psychiatrist | secret | marriage | motorcycle | sculpture class | 

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Taglines:

She confused him for a therapist and told him her deepest secrets. Now, two people who never should have met are discovering there's nothing more seductive than the truth.

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Genres:

Drama | Romance | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for sexual dialogue

Did You Know?

Connections

References Rear Window (1954)

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Soundtracks

In The Midnight Hour
Written by Wilson Pickett and Steve Cropper
Performed by Wilson Pickett

User Reviews

An honest story that could be a chapter out of real life

No special effects, no computer animation, no supernatural forces, no gloss, no predictability.

Real life! There is nothing in the story that could not have happened somewhere some time. Told with beauty, humour, understatement, feelings, sensitivity. Leaving you time to think instead of throwing one visual effect after another at you. There is time for detail. Time for silence. Time for emotions. But you are never bored.

The story is simple, yet you are grabbed by it and led into its mystery.

The atmosphere marvellously represents real life in France at the time the film was made. No shining up. No simplification. This is real France. Sandrine Bonnaire and Fabrice Luchini are very convincing in their roles. The behaviour of the secretary is incredibly real.

This is French cinema near its best.

Details

Country:

France

Language:

French

Release Date:

3 September 2004 (USA)

Also Known As:

Bliscy nieznajomi

Filming Locations:

Paris, France

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$55,836, 1 August 2004

Gross USA:

$2,110,589

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$10,485,817

Company Credits

Production Co:

Les Films Alain Sarde, France 3 Cinéma, Zoulou Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

104 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1