My Night at Maud's
My Night at Maud's

My Night at Maud's

1969Movie110 minFrench

The Catholic Jean-Louis runs into an old friend, the Marxist Vidal, in Clermont-Ferrand around Christmas. Vidal introduces Jean-Louis to the modestly libertine, recently divorced Maud and the three engage in conversation on religion, atheism, love, morality and Blaise Pascal's life and writings on philosophy, faith and mathematics. Jean-Louis ends up spending a night at Maud's. Jean-Louis' Catholic views on marriage, fidelity and obligation make his situation a dilemma, as he has already, at the very beginning of the film, proclaimed his love for a young woman whom, however, he has never yet spoken to.

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Insights

IMDb7.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes93%
Google Users90%
Director: Éric RohmerGenres: Drama, Romance, Philosophy

Plot Summary

A devout Catholic engineer, Jean-Louis, finds himself increasingly drawn to the intellectual and sensual world of Maud, a divorced, free-thinking woman he meets by chance. As they engage in lengthy philosophical debates and explore their mutual attraction, Jean-Louis also grapples with his desire for a virtuous young woman, Françoise. The film intricately explores themes of faith, desire, and the complexities of human relationships through dialogue-driven encounters.

Critical Reception

My Night at Maud's was a critical success, widely praised for its intellectual depth, witty dialogue, and nuanced exploration of modern relationships and existential questions. It is considered a seminal work of the French New Wave and Éric Rohmer's 'Six Moral Tales' series.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its intelligent and provocative philosophical discussions.
  • Appreciated for its nuanced portrayal of desire, faith, and morality.
  • Lauded for its naturalistic performances and Rohmer's distinctive directorial style.

Google audience: Audience reviews highlight the film's engaging and thought-provoking dialogue, often describing it as a 'thinking person's film.' Viewers appreciate the realistic portrayal of complex relationships and the intellectual stimulation it provides, though some find the length and conversational pace challenging.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay in 1971.

Fun Fact

The film's lengthy philosophical debates were often improvised by the actors based on Rohmer's outlines, contributing to its naturalistic feel.

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