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 The Hairdresser's Husband (1990)

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Soundtracks

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

User Reviews

Highly recommend

I actually went to my local "art house" movie theater to see "Napoleon Dynamite." I walked out of that movie after the first 10 minutes and walked into the movie playing in the room next to it, which happened to be "Intimate Strangers." I had no idea what this movie was about - in fact, had never heard of it but anything had to be better than "Napoleon Dynamite." What a pleasant surprise. Even though I missed the very beginning of the film, I figured out that Anna had a reversal problem and was visiting the wrong professional.

This movie explores a relationship of the mind, only hinting at the sexual. How refreshing!

This movie was entrancing. I fell in love with all of the characters. Who could not fall in love with Anna? How many times has a stranger walked into your life and you've found yourself captivated? Once - maybe twice? Perhaps I can ask that question since I met my husband due to circumstances that allowed our paths to cross (and any change in the smallest decision would have meant we would never have met) and within three days, we were planning a wedding. That was 20 years ago.

So no wonder I love this movie!

Details

Country:

France

Language:

French

Release Date:

3 September 2004 (USA)

Also Known As:

Intimate Strangers

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