The Smile (film)

The Smile (French: Le sourire) is a 1994 French drama film directed by Claude Miller. Moving between reality and dream, it tells the story of a psychiatrist (Jean-Pierre Marielle) facing imminent death who follows the fantasy of one last love affair with a much younger woman (Emmanuelle Seigner). She also follows a fantasy of being a stripper who drives men wild, and is herself close to death.

The theme of the film is stated at the outset by a mock-Chinese quote: Let us hurry to enjoy creatures in their youth. Let's gorge ourselves on best wines and scents. Never let the blooming flower fade.

Plot

In a private clinic set in a country estate, the aging psychiatrist Pierre-François collapses with a heart attack from listening to the steamy fantasies of a sex-mad young patient Brigitte. After examination, his colleague Gaby warns him that the next attack could come at any time and will be the last. Feeling the need to settle things, he goes to see his ex-wife Chantal at Saint-Trojan-les-Bains, taking a treasured picture for her.

On the train he is struck by the sight of a young woman asleep, who projects an aura of sensuality. She is Odile, a sports teacher, who he later sees at the beach and at a tennis club near his clinic. As there is a travelling fair in the nearby town, he asks to meet her there. She has already investigated the fair on her own, being fascinated by the strip show and catching the eye of its manager Jean-Jean, who asks if she would like to try this line of work. The date ends with Pierre-François on the ground with a bloody nose after he tries to kiss Odile, but in the morning each forgives the other.

Jean-Jean tells Odile it would be better if she worked for a show further from home, saying he will take her to see his friend La Tante at Angoulême. Odile asks Pierre-François to come along as her companion. After visiting La Tante, the three go off for a meal, which ends badly with Odile storming out and Pierre-François, after collapsing, being put in an upstairs room. Later, Odile joins him there and the two make love.

Next day, after Odile has spent some time getting to know the strippers, La Tante puts her on stage clothed among four naked girls. She strips to huge applause and then in a trance glides into the wildly excited audience. Pierre-François desperately tries to get to her through the packed crowd but is too late, for she has collapsed dead.

Cast
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The Smile on IMDb

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