The Soft Skin
Written by François Truffaut and Jean-Louis Richard
Directed by François Truffaut
France, 1964
Riding high on the critical reputation of the French New Wave (if not its consistent box office success), and with The 400 Blows (1959), Shoot the Piano Player (1960), and Jules and Jim (1962) behind him, François Truffaut’s fourth feature is something rather different. There is still the same cinematic playfulness, a combination of genuine skill, pervasive influence, and a rampant passion for the medium itself, but with The Soft Skin (1964), Truffaut slows things down somewhat, takes a breath, matures. That’s not to say there weren’t adult themes in his earlier films (most certainly there were in Jules and Jim), but here, the entire tone of the film feels more aged, more serious, as if Truffaut was for the first time making a film explicitly for grown-ups, not just featuring them.
Nominated for the Palme...
Written by François Truffaut and Jean-Louis Richard
Directed by François Truffaut
France, 1964
Riding high on the critical reputation of the French New Wave (if not its consistent box office success), and with The 400 Blows (1959), Shoot the Piano Player (1960), and Jules and Jim (1962) behind him, François Truffaut’s fourth feature is something rather different. There is still the same cinematic playfulness, a combination of genuine skill, pervasive influence, and a rampant passion for the medium itself, but with The Soft Skin (1964), Truffaut slows things down somewhat, takes a breath, matures. That’s not to say there weren’t adult themes in his earlier films (most certainly there were in Jules and Jim), but here, the entire tone of the film feels more aged, more serious, as if Truffaut was for the first time making a film explicitly for grown-ups, not just featuring them.
Nominated for the Palme...
- 3/25/2015
- by Jeremy Carr
- SoundOnSight
This month, Criterion marches out a little know title from Francois Truffaut, 1964’s The Soft Skin. Technically his fifth feature, and following behind the monolithic success of Jules and Jim and the 1962 short “Antoine and Colette,” (which served as the second segment in what would flourish into his Antoine Doinel series), the feature did not receive a celebrated reception. Playing in competition at the 1964 Cannes Film Festival (marking the second and last time Truffaut would compete at the festival), the title has since lapsed into a sort of oblivion, which is not surprising considering the winner of the Palme d’Or that year was Jacques Demy’s musical confection, The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (launching Catherine Deneuve in stardom, younger sister of Truffuat’s headlining actress, Françoise Dorleac, already a celebrity). Described by its creator as ‘an autopsy of adultery,’ it’s a cold, bitter film about a rather unappealing affair.
- 3/3/2015
- by Nicholas Bell
- IONCINEMA.com
Initially released in 1964, La peau douce (aka Silken Skin) was Truffaut's fourth feature, the film in which he cast off the showy trappings associated with the first years of the Nouvelle Vague and became a truly mature film-maker. It applies Hitchcock's editing style and attention to significant detail to an exquisite study of the tragic affair between a married literary intellectual (a plausible, sympathetic Jean Desailly) and a beautiful young airline hostess. The lover (Françoise Dorléac, sister of Catherine Deneuve) is a cool blonde, the wife (Nelly Benedetti) a passionate brunette, the perplexed husband unsure of what he wants from love and life. Raoul Coutard's black-and-white images are splendid.
Francois TruffautWorld cinemaDramaPhilip French
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Francois TruffautWorld cinemaDramaPhilip French
guardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2011 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds...
- 2/6/2011
- by Philip French
- The Guardian - Film News
The Fighter (15)
(David O Russell, 2010, Us) Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Melissa Leo, Mickey O'Keefe. 116 mins
Just when America needed a tale of blue-collar dreams, hard-up families coming together and a Hero with Heart, along comes this bracing boxing drama. What distinguishes it from Rocky and co is that it's based on a real boxer ("Irish" Micky Ward), and there's not much boxing in it. The emphasis is on Wahlberg's colourfully unhelpful family, particularly his formidable mother (Leo) and crack-addicted brother (Bale). There's so much big acting going on, our quiet contender can't compete, but hey, he's got Heart.
Rabbit Hole (12A)
(John Cameron Mitchell, 2010, Us) Nicole Kidman, Aaron Eckhart, Dianne Wiest. 91 mins
A couple's marriage reaches breaking point after their son's death in an everyday trauma-drama that's carefully handled. Nothing too depressing, hysterical, boring or serious, but it's still emotional, and Kidman has never been better.
Brighton Rock (15)
(Rowan Joffe,...
(David O Russell, 2010, Us) Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Melissa Leo, Mickey O'Keefe. 116 mins
Just when America needed a tale of blue-collar dreams, hard-up families coming together and a Hero with Heart, along comes this bracing boxing drama. What distinguishes it from Rocky and co is that it's based on a real boxer ("Irish" Micky Ward), and there's not much boxing in it. The emphasis is on Wahlberg's colourfully unhelpful family, particularly his formidable mother (Leo) and crack-addicted brother (Bale). There's so much big acting going on, our quiet contender can't compete, but hey, he's got Heart.
Rabbit Hole (12A)
(John Cameron Mitchell, 2010, Us) Nicole Kidman, Aaron Eckhart, Dianne Wiest. 91 mins
A couple's marriage reaches breaking point after their son's death in an everyday trauma-drama that's carefully handled. Nothing too depressing, hysterical, boring or serious, but it's still emotional, and Kidman has never been better.
Brighton Rock (15)
(Rowan Joffe,...
- 2/5/2011
- by The guide
- The Guardian - Film News
A welcome big-screen return for François Truffaut's passionate 1964 drama, starring Françoise Dorléac, ill-fated sister of Catherine Deneuve. By Peter Bradshaw
François Truffaut's 1964 drama of amour fou, now rereleased as part of a Truffaut season at London's BFI Southbank, is conducted with suavity and flair; it progressively discloses a satisfyingly subtle and textured love story with depth. Jean Desailly plays Pierre Lachenay, a married middle-aged publisher and literary celebrity. In Lisbon to lecture on Balzac, he has a passionate fling with Nicole, the air-hostess on his flight who is staying at the same hotel; she is played by the beautiful Françoise Dorléac, elder sister of Catherine Deneuve. (Dorléac was to die in a car accident three years after this movie was made.) Sexually infatuated with Nicole's exquisite youth, Pierre begins a furtive affair in which he is tormented by the social agonies, embarrassments and humiliations of contriving weekends away when they can be together.
François Truffaut's 1964 drama of amour fou, now rereleased as part of a Truffaut season at London's BFI Southbank, is conducted with suavity and flair; it progressively discloses a satisfyingly subtle and textured love story with depth. Jean Desailly plays Pierre Lachenay, a married middle-aged publisher and literary celebrity. In Lisbon to lecture on Balzac, he has a passionate fling with Nicole, the air-hostess on his flight who is staying at the same hotel; she is played by the beautiful Françoise Dorléac, elder sister of Catherine Deneuve. (Dorléac was to die in a car accident three years after this movie was made.) Sexually infatuated with Nicole's exquisite youth, Pierre begins a furtive affair in which he is tormented by the social agonies, embarrassments and humiliations of contriving weekends away when they can be together.
- 2/4/2011
- by Peter Bradshaw
- The Guardian - Film News
Deep End
Cinema Retro has received the following press release from the British Film Institute:
Make film your New Year resolution
BFI Southbank – BFI Distribution – BFI Festivals – BFI IMAX – BFI DVD – BFI Membership BFI Online – BFI Filmstore – BFI Mediatheques – BFI Gallery – Sight & Sound 2011 is set to become a landmark year for the BFI and this will be reflected in the broad and diverse range of film offerings for audiences across the UK. From film and television premieres and seasons at BFI Southbank, the most eclectic range of DVDs and nationwide theatrical releases by the most influential artists of British and world cinema, to a free insight into the BFI Archive via the Mediatheques around the country and online, there is something to entertain, educate and inspire anyone who loves film. BFI Southbank Great Auteurs – seasons include Howard Hawks (Jan/Feb), Francois Truffaut (Feb/March) Nicolas Roeg (March), Terence Rattigan (April...
Cinema Retro has received the following press release from the British Film Institute:
Make film your New Year resolution
BFI Southbank – BFI Distribution – BFI Festivals – BFI IMAX – BFI DVD – BFI Membership BFI Online – BFI Filmstore – BFI Mediatheques – BFI Gallery – Sight & Sound 2011 is set to become a landmark year for the BFI and this will be reflected in the broad and diverse range of film offerings for audiences across the UK. From film and television premieres and seasons at BFI Southbank, the most eclectic range of DVDs and nationwide theatrical releases by the most influential artists of British and world cinema, to a free insight into the BFI Archive via the Mediatheques around the country and online, there is something to entertain, educate and inspire anyone who loves film. BFI Southbank Great Auteurs – seasons include Howard Hawks (Jan/Feb), Francois Truffaut (Feb/March) Nicolas Roeg (March), Terence Rattigan (April...
- 12/29/2010
- by nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro)
- Cinemaretro.com
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