‘Un homme et une femme‘ (A Man and a Woman), a 1966 film directed by Claude Lelouch, is a romantic drama exploring love, loss, and emotional healing through the evolving relationship between two lonely people.
The film follows Anne Gauthier (Anouk Aimée), a script supervisor, and Jean-Louis Duroc (Jean-Louis Trintignant), a race car driver, who meet by chance at their children’s boarding school in Deauville, France. Both are single parents dealing with the grief of losing their spouses—Anne’s husband, a stuntman, died in an on-set accident, while Jean-Louis’s wife committed suicide after struggling with his dangerous career.
Their initial meeting is warm but tentative. Anne misses the last train back to Paris, and Jean-Louis offers her a ride. During the long car journey, they share their stories and slowly open up about their pasts. The film intercuts present scenes with beautifully composed flashbacks, showing their previous relationships in lyrical, poetic sequences. Lelouch’s use of shifting between color, black-and-white, and sepia tones adds to their memories’ emotional depth and dreamlike quality.
As Anne and Jean-Louis continue to see each other, their connection deepens. They spend time together in Paris and at the racetrack, where Jean-Louis competes in high-speed racing, an integral part of his life. Their moments together are filled with tender gestures and unspoken emotions, reflecting the hesitancy and excitement of new love. However, Anne struggles with guilt and lingering attachment to her late husband, making it difficult for her to fully embrace a new relationship.
During a pivotal weekend getaway in Deauville, Anne and Jean-Louis grow closer and share an intimate night together. But afterward, Anne is overwhelmed with memories of her past love and pulls away, fearing she cannot completely move on. Jean-Louis, deeply in love with her, respects her emotions but is left uncertain about their future.
In the film’s iconic and emotionally charged final sequence, Jean-Louis drives back to Paris, reflecting on their time together. Meanwhile, Anne, realizing her true feelings, rushes to the train station to meet him. In a moment of cinematic brilliance, the film builds suspense as Jean-Louis steps off the train, only to be greeted by Anne, who runs into his arms. They embrace passionately, leaving their future open-ended but full of hope.
A Man and a Woman is a visually stunning film that blends realism with lyrical storytelling. Claude Lelouch’s innovative cinematography, combined with Francis Lai’s unforgettable score—including the famous theme—creates an atmosphere of romance and nostalgia. The film captures the complexity of love after loss, portraying the delicate balance between memory, grief, and the desire for new beginnings.
The Other Cinema 