Encore (1996)
The mid-life crisis of a middle-aged, depressive college professor/author provides the center of this French character study. Abel Vichac has really let himself go. Though a successful writer, and supposedly working on a book about 'regret,' he is barely functioning. He can't sleep at night. During the day he is easily distracted, irresponsible and moody. He also ignores his patient live-in lover Aliette who has stuck by him for 10 years. As he mopes through another day, he gets into several awkward occasions. One of his students, Florence tells him off in a café. A young woman, Catherine hears this and afterward introduces herself as a fan. Later he decides to find her address and visit her apartment. There Abel meets Catherine's roommate Aurore and the former's jealous boyfriend Bruno for a tense scene. He is returning home when Abel encounters his brother's former lover Olga and this creates more awkwardness.
Director: Pascal Bonitzer
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Jackie Berroyer as Abel Vichac |
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Valeria Bruni Tedeschi as Aliette |
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Natacha Régnier as Catherine |
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Hélène Fillières as Aurore |
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Laurence Côte as Florence |
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Michel Massé as Thomas |
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Louis-Do de Lencquesaing as Bruno |
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Éva Ionesco as Olga |
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Lou Castel as Metro salesman |
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Pascal Bonitzer as Bergère |
| Directing | Pascal Bonitzer | Director |
