Films/DVD Asylum

Posted by tinear (A) on March 05, 2007 at 06:54:48

that is truly original and timeless: a young man has concurrent affairs with two women. An older one (the "Mother") and a young nurse (the "Whore"). The film, pretty much, is the three of them talking about their relationships, about sex. Occasionally, a bohemian friend appears and a bizarre dialogue ensues.
Filmed by Nestor Almendros and directed by Jean Eustache who, from what I've gleaned, made only one other full length film, a documentary of his aged aunt.
Not long after the film, Eustache committed suicide in a particularly grisly way.
Perhaps nihilism, which may be what the characters ultimately are about though never really state, is dangerous.
At any rate, you won't find a more unique or brilliant film.
This came out at roughtly the same time as "Last Tango in Paris" and I thought it was better (because it did more with less).
It's a disgrace this isn't on DVD yet so no Netflix. It can be found on Amazon and if you have a good rental store with decent foreign selection, you may get lucky. It's worth the effort.
(NB for Vic: it stars Jean Pierre Leaud so, if you can't stomach him in anything, better not go here).