La Choses de la Vie (The Things of Life)

French director Claude Sautet typically makes films laidback to the point of inertia, so this earlier effort which features both strong characters and an innovative filmmaking style is a bit of a surprise. Michel Piccoli stars as Pierre, a middle-aged businessman who has been separated from his wife and son for three years. His lover Helene (Romy Schneider) urges him to take a position in Tunisia, but Pierre keeps finding excuses not to leave. Helene wants a commitment from Pierre, but Pierre cannot sever the ties from his past life: he continues to take an active interest in his old family and friends, or "the things of life." The film begins with a startling replay of Pierre's car accident which is played backward. This macabre hook is continually referred to during the film, but we do not know the outcome of the crash until the end of the movie. A good slice-of-life French drama. Recommended. i think we are going to work half-day tomorrow, until 12:30