Les Biches

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Overview

Bored, wealthy Parisian socialite Frederique Stéphane Audran, then director Claude Chabrol's wife and the star of many of his films picks up young sidewalk artist Why Jacqueline Sassard, brings her home, offers her a nice hot bath and coffee, and seduces her. Then Why follows Frederique to the latter's Saint-Tropez villa, where they alter their sensuous encounters with wild parties for the idle rich. At one of these parties, Why meets Paul Jean-Louis Trintignant, a handsome young architect, and immediately falls ...
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Overview

Bored, wealthy Parisian socialite Frederique Stéphane Audran, then director Claude Chabrol's wife and the star of many of his films picks up young sidewalk artist Why Jacqueline Sassard, brings her home, offers her a nice hot bath and coffee, and seduces her. Then Why follows Frederique to the latter's Saint-Tropez villa, where they alter their sensuous encounters with wild parties for the idle rich. At one of these parties, Why meets Paul Jean-Louis Trintignant, a handsome young architect, and immediately falls for him. Jealous Frederique intervenes only to lure Paul into her own arms, and the two soon depart for Paris, leaving Why alone with her frustration at the villa. Though often labeled the French Hitchcock, here Chabrol consciously abandons suspense for adult-oriented drama.
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Editorial Reviews

All Movie Guide - Andrea LeVasseur
Though director Claude Chabrol may have mastered suspense in his other films, Les Biches is an unhurried psychological drama with very little tension. Starring his sometimes wife and frequent leading lady Stéphane Audran as the rich and bored Frédérique, the story features a typical love triangle that none of the characters seem to be very emotionally involved in. The street artist Why (Jacqueline Sassard) appears to be just as beautiful and chic as her upscale company, and as the third wheel, Paul (Jean-Louis Trintignant) doesn't exude enough charm to pose any threat. As one of the director's investigations into the pit of French bourgeois decadence (Les Cousins was another), it does reveal the wealthy socialites to be empty, soulless creatures, but it doesn't make them very interesting. Though critically favored at its 1968 release, it may appear dated and slow to contemporary audiences, and those expecting sensational thrills implied by the various titles will be disappointed by the lack of passion. However, viewers who are familiar with Chabrol's more personal dramas, or those who have an affinity for Audran's icy screen sirens, will appreciate the subtleties in this deliberate drama.
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Product Details

  • Release Date: 4/22/2003
  • UPC: 825307305234
  • Original Release: 1968

    • Rating:

  • Source: PATHFINDER HOME ENT.
  • Presentation: Subtitled
  • Format: VHS

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits
Stéphane Audran Frederique
Jacqueline Sassard Why
Jean-Louis Trintignant Paul
Nane Germon Violetta
Henri Attal Robeque
Dominique Zardi Riais
Serge Bento Bookseller
Claude Chabrol Filmmaker
Technical Credits
Claude Chabrol Director, Screenwriter
Maurice Albray Costumes/Costume Designer
Jacques Gaillard Editor
Paul Gégauff Screenwriter
André Genovès Producer
Pierre Jansen Score Composer
Jean Rabier Cinematographer
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