“The Soft Skin” is a 1964 French romantic drama film directed by François Truffaut. The film stars Jean Desailly as Pierre Lachenay, Françoise Dorléac as Nicole, and Nelly Benedetti as Franca.
The story revolves around Pierre Lachenay, a successful and married literary scholar who becomes entangled in a passionate affair despite his stable family life. While on a business trip to Lisbon, Pierre meets an attractive and vivacious airline stewardess named Nicole. Their initial casual encounter quickly transforms into a clandestine romance that intensifies as they struggle to navigate the complexities of their forbidden relationship.
As Pierre and Nicole attempt to sustain their love amidst the challenges of secrecy and societal expectations, the film delves into the consequences of infidelity and the fragility of human relationships. The tension between Pierre’s public persona as a respected intellectual and his private desires creates a poignant exploration of the conflicts between societal norms and personal fulfillment.
The film captures the essence of Truffaut’s exploration of love, desire, and the complexities of human emotion. “The Soft Skin” is notable for its nuanced portrayal of characters and examination of the consequences of pursuing forbidden passions.
The Other Cinema 