Un homme et une femme

This film moved me as a 21-year-old college student with almost no experience in romance, relationships, etc. It has remained a favorite for 34 years now. I think as highly of it with many experiences in life and love as I did with none. It is simply excellent.

It is so refreshing to watch a movie like this one. Those comparing it with Hollywood standards such as the density of the plot, the stunts or 'the sex scene' would be wise to take another look. Such standards cannot be applied here. Lelouch plays with colors, objects, and our natural capacity for associative memory to tell us what is neither written nor spoken. The main actors, Jean-Louis Trintignant and Anouk Aimée master the art of expressing the message. Dialogs are far from poor, but the meaning sometimes has to be found in their tone, their breaks, their pace or, again, the characters' play. What would be cinema for if these were useless ?

Sometimes you do not need to hear anyone in order to understand what he/she is saying, and this is the merit of this Claude Lelouch's film. The main actress and actor, i.e. Anouk Aimée and Jean Louis Trintignant, respectively, were able to act in a way that feelings, desires, sadness well were expressed by both without the need of spoken dialogues. The plot is quite simple, but the merit again is here the way to make it coherent. Another interesting characteristic was the successful use of nice soundtrack in several scenes. Similarly the story of each were said with several mute scenes. According to Lelouch the film gained its intensity because of its fast way of realization. It was made in less than three months, and the scenes were taken in three weeks keeping all actors and actresses working tense. Lelouch never expected to have the success and awards the film had and obtained.

After so many decades, Claude Lelouch's poetic and romantic 'Un Homme et Une Femme' feels exceptionally refreshing. More so than most romantic films that have released in recent years. Lelouch's execution is very simple. The director had intended to make it an all-colour feature but due to financial constraints, some of the scenes in black and white. Lelouch not only managed to make this work but this itself brings out a certain quality and gives it a unique touch. The cinematography, editing and score are remarkable. 'Un Homme et Une Femme' has a very European, more specifically French (obviously) look that is authentic, pure and certainly adds to the charm of the film. Lelouch and his co-writer Uytterhoeven's writing breathes poetry. The dialogues are of a few words and yet they feel so real, like any normal conversation between a man and a woman. The casting is terrific. A charismatic Jean-Louis Trintignant and a gorgeous Anouk Aimée have a natural chemistry and their sincere performances shine. Even the child actors have done a very good job.

Pure, genuine, lyrical, visually dazzling and charming, 'Un Homme et Une Femme' is a fine example of romantic cinema at its best.

I was an Army Platoon Leader on leave from Vietnam in 1967 (R&R "Rest & Recuperation") .

Met a Nursing student while in Sydney and we had a great lustful filled 4 days!

On my last day there we were to meet at this movie but she never showed up.

I think the realization of us ever being together probably had something to do with it.

Flew back to Vietnam the next day with great memories but a sad heart.

This movie was one of the saddest moments for me at the time, watching it alone, half expecting her to show up any minute.

The movie was okay but the soundtrack was even better.

That was over 50 years ago but the movie still brings back those few special days.

Another favorite is Hanover Street starring a very young Harrison Ford.