Story of Women (Une Affaire de Femmes)

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Story of Women (Une Affaire de Femmes) Photos

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Movie Info

The women in this story are the customers of amateur abortionist Isabelle Huppert. The time is 1941, and the place is a Nazi-occupied French town. Struggling to survive, Huppert turns to illegally terminating unwanted pregnancies for a hefty fee. As her income increases, Huppert moves her family from their grimy surroundings to a posh apartment, sharing her digs with her new friend, prostitute Marie Trintignant. Completely seduced by her affluent lifestyle, Huppert ignores her shell-shocked husband Francois Cluzet, preferring to dally with Nazi collaborator Nils Tavernier. Things take a disastrous turn after one of Huppert's "customers" dies and her disgruntled husband turns her over to the authorities. Story of Women was inspired by the real-life tale of Marie-Louise Girard, who in 1943 was executed by the Vichy Government, who'd declared abortion as a Crime Against the State because it diminished the number of potential soldiers.

Rating:

NR
Genre:

Art House & International, Drama
Directed By:

Claude Chabrol
Written By:

Colo Tavernier, Claude Chabrol
In Theaters:

Oct 13, 1989 wide
On Disc/Streaming:

Jul 27, 2004
Runtime:

110 minutes
Studio:

Home Vision Entertainment

Cast

Isabelle Huppert
as Marie

Marie Trintignant
as Lulu/Lucie

Nils Tavernier
as Lucien

François Cluzet
as Paul

Michel Beaune
as Attorney Mourier

Lolita Chammah

Dominique Blanc
as Jasmine

Aurore Gauvin

Marie Bunel
as Ginette

Guillaume Foutrier

Evelyne Didi
as Fernande

Louis Ducreux
as Mr Mourier

Vincent Gauthier
as Judge Fillon

Francois Maistre
as Judge

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Critic Reviews for Story of Women (Une Affaire de Femmes)

All Critics (10) | Top Critics (1) | Fresh (8) | Rotten (2)

Neither Huppert nor the director pass any judgements on Marie's actions, nor does either shy away from her wartime imposed survivalist attitude to the world around her.

May 16, 2009 | Rating: A+ | Full Review…

Cole Smithey
ColeSmithey.com
It's an interesting look at a tiny aspect of the French condition in WWII, but I had hoped for a more sweeping and insightful film from one of cinema's masters.

Jul 24, 2004 | Rating: 3/5

Christopher Null
Filmcritic.com
An artfully done and disturbing film that raises questions about controversial social issues.

Mar 4, 2004 | Rating: B- | Full Review…

Dennis Schwartz
Ozus' World Movie Reviews
The gripping story of a true survivor.

Jan 19, 2004 | Full Review…

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
Spirituality and Practice

View All Critic Reviews (10)

Audience Reviews for Story of Women (Une Affaire de Femmes)

Oct 24, 2012

The Second World War continues to be a great source of film material and this is an important addition to that collection of film..albeit one that isn't overly compelling. A tiny conflict within a larger one.

John B Super Reviewer
Sep 03, 2008

I admire Isabelle Huppert more and more as an actress with each film I see her in. Here she plays Marie Latour, one of the last women guillotined in France, for having performed illegal abortions. The subject is obviously a delicate one. Chabrol doesn't take sides though. The dark side of this woman is evident, she shows little or no concern for her clients and seemingly is only doing it to get as much money as possible out of it. But there is also a innocence to her, to do anything she can to provide the best for her children. Would make a great (though admittingly bleak) double feature with Vera Drake.

Emily B Super Reviewer