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Poster for The Cousins

The Cousins

Seen it?

1959 | 112 min | Drama

Sunday Safe Betearly rating

Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet

Critics loved it (94% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had almost no lasting buzz and soft box office. A safe bet when you want something reliable.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for anyone who loves a strong drama. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood
Thoughtful and character-driven.
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 52 min.
What might put you off
  • It's in French, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
  • Made in 1959: an older pace and style.
  • Audiences were cooler on it than critics.

Young provincial Charles arrives in Paris to stay with his cousin Paul while studying law. Paul is a decadent, bohemian pleasure-seeker who shows the meek, diligent Charles the thrills of city life. When Charles falls for Florence, one of Paul's acquaintances, relationships begin to shift.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsVery strong

    94% on Rotten Tomatoes

  • AudiencesSolid

    6.8 out of 10

  • AwardsSolid

    Won 1 Berlin award: Golden Bear.

  • Reach & staying powerBelow par

    Streaming release that reached a small audience so far; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactWeak

    About 8K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Claude Chabrol

  • Gérard BlainCharles
  • Jean-Claude BrialyPaul
  • Juliette MaynielFlorence
  • Guy DecombleLe libraire
  • Geneviève ClunyGeneviève
  • Michèle MéritzYvonne
  • Corrado GuarducciItalian Count Minerva
  • Stéphane AudranFrançoise
  • Paul BiscigliaMarc
  • Jeanne PérezLa femme de ménage