‘Un Moment D’Egarement’ (In a Wild Moment) is a provocative French dramedy directed by Claude Berri, released in 1977. The film explores desire, betrayal, and the complexities of parenthood and aging masculinity.
Pierre (played by Jean-Pierre Marielle) and Jacques (played by Victor Lanoux), two middle-aged friends, decide to take a summer holiday together in Corsica. Jacques brings along his 17-year-old daughter, Françoise (played by Agnes Soral), who is a vivacious and flirtatious teenager on the cusp of adulthood. Recently divorced, Pierre brings his daughter (played by Christine Dejoux) and is looking for a relaxing escape. In contrast, as a protective father, Jacques wants to bond with his daughter while enjoying a break from their daily routine.
However, their peaceful getaway takes a complicated turn when Françoise begins to actively flirt with Pierre, who initially resists but eventually succumbs to her advances during a “moment of weakness”—a brief yet consequential lapse in judgment. Their impulsive liaison quickly evolves into a deeper emotional entanglement, even as they attempt to keep their relationship a secret.
The fallout begins when Jacques discovers his daughter is romantically involved with an older man. Blinded by rage and a sense of betrayal, he becomes determined to track down the mysterious seducer—unaware that it is his best friend. Tension mounts as Pierre struggles with guilt, Françoise refuses to name her lover, and the friendship between the two men hangs in the balance.
The film walks a delicate line between drama and dark comedy, satirizing middle-aged male fantasies while offering a surprisingly sensitive portrait of youth, freedom, and the emotional turbulence of coming-of-age. The film addresses taboo topics with a mix of dry humor and emotional weight as it addresses generational conflict, sexual morality, and the fine line between affection and impropriety.
The Other Cinema 