The Woman Next Door
The Woman Next Door

Movie spotlight

The Woman Next Door

1981
Movie
101 min
Japanese

A 1981 TV movie based on a short story by Kuniko Mukoda, starring Kaori Momoi and Jinpachi Nezu. A housewife is slowly tempted by a mysterious man who she overhears one day through the wall of her apartment.

Insights

IMDb7.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes90%
Director: François TruffautGenres: Drama, Romance

Plot Summary

Bernard, a happily married man, is shocked to discover that Mathilde, a woman from his past with whom he had a tumultuous relationship, has moved in next door. Their proximity reignites their intense and destructive passion, leading to a spiral of jealousy, obsession, and emotional turmoil that threatens to consume them both and impact their respective lives.

Critical Reception

The Woman Next Door was the final film by François Truffaut and is widely regarded as a mature and poignant exploration of adult relationships, desire, and the complexities of love. While some found its intensity challenging, critics largely praised its emotional depth, strong performances, and Truffaut's masterful direction.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its raw emotional intensity and exploration of obsessive love.

  • Lauded for the powerful chemistry and performances of Fanny Ardant and Gérard Depardieu.

  • Considered a fitting, albeit somber, conclusion to François Truffaut's illustrious directorial career.

Google audience: N/A

Awards & Accolades

Fanny Ardant received a César Award nomination for Best Actress. The film won the National Board of Review Award for Best Foreign Language Film.

Fun Fact

The film was based on a true story that Truffaut read about in a newspaper, which deeply affected him.

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