L'Ennui cover art

L'Ennui Details

1998 Certificate 18
  • Rated:
  • 50
  • from 2267 members

When Martin (Charles Berling), a restless philosophy professor, falls for the sensual, nonintellectual young Cecilia (Sophie Guillemin), he is fascinated by her uninhibited attitude. Oddly enough, Martin's only confidante regarding this relationship is his ex-wife (Arielle Dombasle). This dark French sex comedy is a tale of .. Read more

Starring Charles Berling, Sophie Guillemin, Arielle Dombasle, Robert Kramer
Director Cedric Kahn
Genres Drama, World Cinema

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L'Ennui cover art

L'Ennui

When Martin (Charles Berling), a restless philosophy professor, falls for the sensual, nonintellectual young Cecilia (Sophie Guillemin), he is fascinated by her uninhibited attitude. Oddly enough, Martin's only confidante regarding this relationship is his ex-wife (Arielle Dombasle). This dark French sex comedy is a tale of unusual obsession.

Starring Charles Berling, Sophie Guillemin, Arielle Dombasle, Robert Kramer, Alice Grey, Maurice Antoni
Director Cedric Kahn
Studio ARTIFICIAL EYE
Run time DVD: 1 hr 57 mins
Certificate Certificate 18
Genres Drama, World Cinema
Language DVD: French
Subtitles DVD: English
Released DVD: 16 Apr 2001
Production year: 1998
Format DVD

  • Critics' reviews (2) of L'Ennui

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  • 3 stars out of 5

    Director Cédric Kahn explores the struggle for power that underpins many relationships in this erotic comedy drama. However, with its repeated acts of perfunctory sex and the slow descent into manic envy by an intellectually moribund academic, this adaptation of Alberto Moravia's novel might have made for heavy going, were it not for the outstanding performances of Charles Berling and Sophie Guillemin. As the physically unremarkable, socially inept teenager blithely fuelling her lover's neurosis, the debuting Guillemin is a revelation, while Berling's midlife misery is agonisingly persuasive.

    • Radio Times
    • Posted 29 Jan 2006

  • Jaded after the failure of his marriage, Martin (Berling) has 'given up love', and taken to his car. On one voyeuristic... read more on Time Out

    • Time Out
    • Posted 04 Nov 2008

  • Most helpful member's review of L'Ennui

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  • 24 out of 30 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 1 star

    Accurate title

    Tedious film about an affair between a university lecturer and a 17-year-old girl. He becomes increasingly obsessed and jealous. Some mildly diverting sex scenes, but it has virtually no plot and it's a relief when it finishes. The title - meaning boredom in French -is at least accurate and surprisingly honest.

      • A customer from London, UK
      • Posted 21 Feb 2004 19:56

  • Most recent members' review of L'Ennui

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  • 3 out of 3 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 0 stars

    Ennui means Boredom

    Perfect title for this film. Tedious pretentious boring. French waffle at its worst. Cannot share other reviewers enthusiasm.

      • A customer from Cambridge
      • Posted 24 Sep 2007 18:41

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2,267 Member ratings
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61
  • 90
76
  • 80
166
  • 70
233
  • 60
372
  • 50
369
  • 40
378
  • 30
252
  • 20
252
  • 10
108

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      • When Martin (Charles Berling), a restless philosophy professor, falls for the sensual, nonintellectual young Cecilia (Sophie Guillemin), he is fascinated by her uninhibited attitude. Oddly enough, ...