The Soft Skin (1964)

[MifuneFan]

The Soft Skin Blu-ray PRE-ORDER

• New high-definition digital restoration, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack on the Blu-ray
• Audio commentary by screenwriter Jean-Louis Richard and François Truffaut scholar Serge Toubiana
• New video essay by filmmaker and critic Kent Jones
• Interview with Truffaut from 1965 about the film
• New English subtitle translation
• PLUS: An essay by critic Molly Haskell

François Truffaut followed up the international phenomenon Jules and Jim with this tense tale of infidelity. 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, underseen French New Wave treasure.

http://www.criterion.com/films/27640-the-soft-skin

[Brad1963]

At last! The Bride Wore Black, The Story of Adele H and now The Soft Skin.
2015 is starting off nicely with Truffaut.

[javi92]

Yes! Seems like we were overdue for some more Truffaut on blu. Now, a bunch comes along in region A all of a sudden.

[pro-bassoonist]

The Soft Skin Blu-ray REVIEW



Classic Truffaut

If you enjoy this film, you should also see Claude Chabrol's La Cérémonie



Pro-B

[The Great Owl]

This isn't much of a review, because I've been busy with other things tonight, but I posted a few words about this film in the Criterion forum, and am double-posting here...



I now have a new favorite François Truffaut movie.

Those of you who have seen The Soft Skin will probably think that I'm demented for naming it as my favorite Truffaut, but that's how I roll.

It's probably just as well that I don't write paragraphs upon paragraphs for this movie, because I went into it without knowing anything about the plot except that an extramarital affair is involved, so I think it best for the rest of you who are unfamiliar with the film to go into it the same way. There's something great about watching a story unfold and having no idea what is going to happen in the final scene until it happens.

Françoise Dorléac is really something else in this movie, and I'm reminded that I really need to get cracking on my Jacques Demy box set. Jean Desailly (Le Doulos) is a perfect lead for this particular film, and he hits all of the right notes.

The Soft Skin is Truffaut's homage to Hitchcock, so to speak, but it plays out so in unexpected ways by generating unbelievable suspense during a few offbeat moments. Watch one particular gem of a sequence where Jean Desailly's character is preoccupied while having a drink with a friend after a film introduction speech.

The Soft Skin looks great on this Criterion Blu-ray, and Criterion has excelled with another good black-and-white movie presentation. The extras are short and sweet. The commentary track is French-language and subtitled, which means that I'm not giving it the attention that it deserves right now as I watch it while I'm typing on my laptop.

Everything about The Soft Skin rocks out. I'm so glad that I made a blind purchase.

[schan1269]

Originally Posted by pro-bassoonist

The Soft Skin Blu-ray REVIEW





Classic Truffaut

If you enjoy this film, you should also see Claude Chabrol's La Cérémonie



Pro-B

La Ceremonie 2nded....

[Bates_Motel]

Originally Posted by Brad1963

At last! The Bride Wore Black, The Story of Adele H and now The Soft Skin.
2015 is starting off nicely with Truffaut.

Hoping Small Change is next, but probably from TT...

[Jado3Dhead]

I don't like that cover art one bit. An image of Francoise Dorleac would've been better.