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Poster for The Mother and the Whore

The Mother and the Whore

Seen it?

1973 | 219 min | Drama, Romance

Sunday Safe Bet

Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet

Critics loved it (94% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had soft box office and little lasting buzz. 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 romantics. If you loved Dangerous Liaisons or The Virgin Suicides, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood
Warm and romantic.
The pace
Unhurried and epic, at 3 hr 39 min.
What might put you off
  • It's long: 3 hr 39 min.
  • It's in French, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
  • Made in 1973: an older pace and style.
  • Audiences were cooler on it than critics.

Aimless young Alexandre juggles his relationships with his girlfriend, Marie, and a casual lover named Veronika. Marie becomes increasingly jealous of Alexandre's fling with Veronika and as the trio continues their unsustainable affair, the emotional stakes get higher, leading to conflict and unhappiness.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsVery strong

    94% on Rotten Tomatoes

  • AudiencesSolid

    7.3 out of 10

  • AwardsWeak

    Won 1 Cannes award: Cannes Film Festival Grand Prix.

  • Box office & staying powerBelow par

    $44K worldwide; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactBelow par

    About 32K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Jean Eustache

  • Jean-Pierre LéaudAlexandre
  • Bernadette LafontMarie
  • Françoise LebrunVeronika
  • Isabelle WeingartenGilberte
  • Jacques RenardAlexandre's Friend
  • Jean-Noël PicqOffenbach's Fan
  • Berthe GranvalMarie's Friend
  • Geneviève MnichVeronika's Friend
  • Jessa DarrieuxThe friend with the injured hand
  • Marinka Matuszewski