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Information

A.k.a.
Story of Women
Year
1988
Runtime
108 min.
Director
Claude Chabrol
Genre
Drama
Rating *
7.6
Votes *
2,559
Checks
741
Favs
51
Dislikes
2
Favs/checks
6.9% (1:15)
Favs/dislikes
26:1
* View IMDb information

Top comments

  1. ClassicLady's avatar

    ClassicLady

    This movie began my love of French movies. And my fascination with Isabelle Huppert. 10 years 1 month ago
  2. Siskoid's avatar

    Siskoid

    No, really, what is wrong with French films' English titles? Chabrol's Story of Women doesn't come close to the meaning behind "Une affaire de femmes", which really means "A Woman Thing", as in, men wouldn't understand. Isabelle Huppert plays a woman who gave women abortions during World War II, made friends with prostitutes, and had a dark fate (several times foreshadowed). It's a biopic, but doesn't feel like one until the third act where creative imagination takes a backseat to plot mechanics. I don't know how Chabrol can justify throwing in a few wild lines from a surprise narrator during that section too, but I resent it. But while it plays as a well-observed character drama about a woman who deals with women's realities in a time of misery, showing disdain for both husband and son, while embracing her daughter and other women with no judgment, it's excellent. It many ways, it's a parallel reality to Coup de foudre/Entre nous made 5 years earlier (Huppert typecast as the "bad" mom/wife?), but it's much less romantic. 6 months ago
  3. ucuruju's avatar

    ucuruju

    Great Huppert performance— like always. The film doesn’t waste time trying to justify her actions— the usual critique of patriarchy and the injustices inherent in the marriage system are there but that doesn’t make Huppert any less of an irresponsible little fool. She manages to make Marie Latour (based on a real person apparently) charming, child-like, naive and also frustrating and infuriating. It’s a very interesting character. My only problem with the film is that the ending could’ve been less protracted since we basically know what’s going to happen as soon as she is taken away. If you’re going to introduce a narrator in the final moments of your film then have him speak once and be done with it. The movie just keeps going and going in a way that feels morbid, verging on manipulative. Still very recommended. 2 years ago
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In 2 official lists

  1. This movie ranks #243 in Cahiers du Cinéma's Annual Top 10 Lists
    Cahiers du Cinéma's Annual Top 10 Lists's icon

    Cahiers du Cinéma's Annu…

    243
  2. This movie ranks #831 in The New York Times's Book of Movies
    The New York Times's Book of Movies's icon

    The New York Times's Boo…

    831
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