Une Affaire de Femmes (Story of Women) (1988)
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80% of critics liked it
(10 reviews) -
74% of users liked it
(1,106 ratings)
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… More 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. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Directed By
- Claude Chabrol
- Written By
- Colo Tavernier O'Hagan, Claude Chabrol
- Genres
- Art House & International, Drama
- In Theaters
- Sep 1, 1988 Wide
- Studio
- Home Vision Entertainment
Critic Reviews
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Cole Smithey, ColeSmithey.com
Huppert's performance is riveting under Chabrol's keen direction.
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Christopher Null, Filmcritic.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.
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Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
An artfully done and disturbing film that raises questions about controversial social issues.
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Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
The gripping story of a true survivor.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Isabelle Huppert
as Marie
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François Cluzet
as Paul
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Marie Trintignant
as Lulu/Lucie
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Nils Tavernier
as Lucien
- Lolita Chammah
- Aurore Gauvin
- Guillaume Foutrier
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Marie Bunel
as Ginette
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Dominique Blanc
as Jasmine
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Evelyne Didi
as Fernande
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Louis Ducreux
as Mr Mourier
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Vincent Gauthier
as Judge Fillon
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Francois Maistre
as Judge
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Michel Beaune
as Attorney Mourier
