#749: TRUFFAUT, François: The Soft Skin (1964)

TRUFFAUT, François (France)

The Soft Skin [1964]

Spine #749
Blu-ray

François Truffaut followed up the international phenomenon Jules and Jim with this tense tale of ifidelity. The unassuming Jean Desailly is perfectly cast as a celebrated literary scholar, seemingly happily married, who embarks on an affair with a gorgeous stewardess, played by Françoise Dorléac, who is captivated by his charm and reputation. As their romance gets serious, the film grows anxious, leading to a wallop of a conclusion. Truffaut made The Soft Skin at a time when he was immersing himself in the work of Alfred Hitchcock, and that master's influence can be felt throughout this complex, insightful, and underseen French New Wave treasure.

117 minutes
Black & White

Monaural

in French

1:66:1 aspect ratio

Criterion Release 2015

Director/Writers

Written by François Truffaut and Jean-Louis Richard.

Truffaut was 32 when he directed The Soft Skin.

Other Truffaut films in the Collection:

#5: The 400 Blows (1959)
#315: Shoot The Piano Player (1960)
#281: Jules And Jim (1962)
#186: Stolen Kisses (1968)
#187: Bed And Board (1970)
#769: Day For Night (1973)
#188: Love On The Run (1979)
#462: The Last Metro (1980)

The Film

A

Film Rating (0-60):

60

The Extras

The Booklet

Twelve-page wraparound featuring an essay by critic Molly Haskell.

Commentary

By screenwriter Richard and Truffaut scholar Serge Toubiana.

Video essay

By filmmaker and critic Kent Jones.

Monsieur Truffaut Meets Mr. Hitchcock

A 1999 documentary by film historian Robert Fischer.

Interview

With Truffaut from 1965 about the film.

Extras Rating (0-40):

39

60 + 39 =

99

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