Les Cousins (1959)

92% of critics liked it
(13 reviews)
83% of users liked it
(99 ratings)

This was the first of several films that would win international awards for French New Wave director Claude Chabrol. His aloof, innovative approach to the simple story says as much as the plot itself in which two cousins symbolize polar opposites. Charles (Gerard Blain ) is the cousin from the… More This was the first of several films that would win international awards for French New Wave director Claude Chabrol. His aloof, innovative approach to the simple story says as much as the plot itself in which two cousins symbolize polar opposites. Charles (Gerard Blain ) is the cousin from the provinces with "bourgeois" values. His steadfast determination unfortunately does not help him pass exams or at first, succeed with women. Paul (Jean-Claude Brialy) is the urbane, rather debauched and decadent cousin who appears to conquer all. Appearances can be deceiving as they soon discover when Charles falls for Paul's friend Florence (Juliette Mayniel) -- and tragedy waits in the wings. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 52 min.
Directed By: Claude Chabrol
Written By: Claude Chabrol, Paul Gégauff
Genres: Art House & International, Drama

In Theaters: Nov 23, 1959 Wide
On DVD: Jun 24, 2005
Studio: Criterion Collection

Critic Reviews

Variety Staff, Variety
Concise progression, fine technical aspects, and the look at innocence destroyed by the profane keeps it absorbing, despite the slightly pretentious treatment at times.
Bosley Crowther, New York Times
M. Chabrol has more skill with the camera than he has with the pen, and his picture is more credible to the eye than it is to the skeptical mind. But it is not the less overwhelming.
Don Druker, Chicago Reader
This is Chabrol's second film, and its subtle development of character points toward the dense structures of his later films with their reluctance either to condemn or extol without reservation.
Eric Melin, Scene-Stealers.com
Les Cousins seems to hold contempt for almost every person it characterizes. Although the characterizations are right on, some of the movie relies too much on melodrama and easy plot devices.
James Kendrick, Q Network Film Desk
too programmed, too deterministic, and ultimately too cynical
Andrew Schenker, Slant Magazine
Criterion's typically strong presentation of Chabrol's Les Cousins is a fitting testament to the late director's brilliance.
Tom Milne, Time Out
A fine, richly detailed tableau of student life in Paris, and Chabrol's first statement (in his second film) of his sardonic view of life as a matter of the survival of the fittest.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Claude Chabrol's terrific second feature, an intriguing study of the nasty rivalry bewtwen two cousins that captures the decadent life of Paris' bourgeoisie, established him as a major voice of the French New Wave.
Pablo Villaca, Cinema em Cena
Um dos filmes seminais da nouvelle vague, aborda com inteligência as diferenças de caráter e de postura diante da vida de dois primos: um inseguro e introspectivo, e outro sedutor e confiante. Boas atuações e direção segura de Chabrol.
, Film4
Chabrol's second directorial feature is a lightly twisted look at the relationship between two cousins.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
French New Wave cinema at its high tide.

Read all 11 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Stefanie C

Absorbing. Gerard Blain is subtle, yet mesmerizing.
Chris B

Les Cousins is Claude Chabrol's second feature that he wrote at the same time as his first, Le beau Serge, but filmed second as Le beau Serge was the simpler of the two. Les Cousins reverses the roles of Gerard Blain and Jean-Cluade Brialy in drastic ways and really adds a… More
Les Cousins is Claude Chabrol's second feature that he wrote at the same time as his first, Le beau Serge, but filmed second as Le beau Serge was the simpler of the two. Les Cousins reverses the roles of Gerard Blain and Jean-Cluade Brialy in drastic ways and really adds a perfect contrast and makes Les Cousins and Le beau Serge companion pieces to one another. A great and complex story that appears very normal and common, hides the complexity of the characters and deals with deeper issues that include loyalty, family, success and the world we live in and our choices in it. A very fascinating and enchanting piece of cinema that really gets underneath your skin! If you are into French film this is a must see!