Summaries

Romance about Simon Donnadieu and his decision to leave his ever-loving wife Rachel.

Details

Keywords
  • female nudity
  • female full frontal nudity
  • wife
  • surrealism
  • disillusionment
Genres
  • Comedy
  • Fantasy
  • Drama
  • Romance
Release date Sep 7, 1993
Motion Picture Rating (MPA) Not Rated
Countries of origin France Switzerland
Language English French
Filming locations Allaman, Canton de Vaud, Switzerland
Production companies Vega Film Les Films Alain Sarde Périphéria

Box office

Tech specs

Runtime 1h 35m
Color Color
Sound mix Dolby SR Dolby
Aspect ratio 1.37 : 1

Synopsis

This is Godard's version of the Greek myth of Amphitryon : Zeus (God here) takes Amphitryon's (Simon's) features to seduce his wife Alcmena (Rachel) while he is at war. God's purpose is to feel what is a real love between husband and wife, while his servant Max Mercure reckons it is only a sex affair.

But Rachel doesn't recognize completely her husband and refuses him a kiss. Although God recalls her the scene of Simon's departure, she is not convinced and suspects the truth. Eventually, it seems that she makes love with God knowingly. When he goes away, he offers her immortality, but she refuses, preferring her life with her husband.

When Simon returns, he understands what happened, and forgives his wife, saying that "one must know how to accept love". They are seen going away hand in hand.

The whole story is accompanied (and interrupted) by the commentaries of a bookseller, Abraham Klimt, and a preacher.

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