Cinema
La Piscine
Jacques Deray · 1969
Synopsis
Jean-Paul, a writer, and Marianne spend the summer in a villa near Saint-Tropez. Harry, a record producer and Marianne's former lover, arrives with his daughter Pénélope, eighteen, whose existence the couple did not know of. Without consulting Jean-Paul, Marianne invites them to stay. The days pass beside the swimming pool; Harry grows closer to Marianne, while Jean-Paul grows closer to Pénélope, and jealousy sets in.
Context
Jean-Claude Carrière wrote the screenplay with Jean-Emmanuel Conil and the director. Alain Delon and Romy Schneider, former partners, are reunited in it, with Maurice Ronet and Jane Birkin. Shot on the Côte d'Azur in 1968, the film was made in two versions, one French, the other in English, shorter, released under the title The Swimming Pool. The music is by Michel Legrand. It was released in France on 31 January 1969.
Who it is for
About two hours, in colour; a summer chamber piece, slow and tense, almost entirely set beside the water.
Prizes and reception
A great popular success in France on its release; Criterion published a 4K restoration in 2021, with the English version.
Sources for this page 5
The pages consulted to check this page.