Mon oncle d'Amérique (1980)

User Rating:

7.8/10   

Director:

Alain Resnais

Writers:

Jean Gruault (writer)
Henri Laborit (writings)

Release Date:

17 December 1980 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

Plot:

Prof. Henri Laborit uses the stories of the lives of three people to discuss behaviorist theories of survival...

Plot Keywords:

Paris France | Attempted Suicide | Psychology | Social Commentary | Scientist

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 8 wins & 7 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Mon. Nov. 9

2:00 AM

TCM

Cast

Gérard Depardieu	...	René Ragueneau
Nicole Garcia	...	Janine Garnier
Roger Pierre	...	Jean Le Gall
Nelly Borgeaud	...	Arlette Le Gall
Pierre Arditi	...	Zambeaux, le représentant de la direction générale à Paris
Gérard Darrieu	...	Léon Veestrate
Philippe Laudenbach	...	Michel Aubert
Marie Dubois	...	Thérèse Ragueneau
Henri Laborit	...	Himself
Bernard Malaterre	...	Le père de Jean
Laurence Roy	...	La mère de Jean
Alexandre Rignault	...	Le grand-père de Jean / Jean's Grandfather
Véronique Silver	...	La mère de Janine
Jean Lescot	...	Le père de Janine
Geneviève Mnich	...	La mère de René

Runtime:

125 min

Country:

France

Language:

French

Colour:

Black and White (archive footage) | Colour (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Hong Kong:I | Italy:T | UK:12 | Australia:PG | Sweden:15 | Finland:K-16 | France:U | Switzerland:16 | USA:PG | West Germany:16 | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Café de la Gare - 41 rue du Temple, Paris 4, Paris, France

Company:

Philippe Dussart

Trivia:

Director Trademark: [Alain Resnais] [character name]Pierre Arditi's character is named Zambeaux.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Film Geek (2005)

A fascinating, captivating film

What an odd way to start a film. We seem to be hearing a lecture about the brain, and human development, interspersed with introductions of several characters who don't seem to have much in common. But then Resnais starts working his magic, intertwining the stories of three people with the behavioral theories of Henri Laborit. Human behavior is compared to the behavior of lab rats, and even turtles and wild boars, and each new idea is illustrated in the lives of the main characters. And as an interesting third layer, each character has an "avatar" from classic French cinema; clips from their films are interspersed to comment on the action.

Too bizarre, you think? I thought so at first, but after awhile I was hooked. Fine performances, beautiful cinematography, and a captivating, multi-layered script makes this film an unforgettable experience.