Muriel, or the Time of Return
Seen it?1963 | 117 min | Drama
Sunday Safe Betearly ratingWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
It earned strong reviews (80% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had 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 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 57 min.
- What might put you off
- It's in French, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
- Made in 1963: an older pace and style.
In the seacoast town of Boulogne, antique furniture saleswoman Hélène lives with her stepson, Bernard, who's back from military duty in Algiers. An old lover of Hélène's comes to visit, Alphonse, with his niece Françoise; he too is back from Algiers, where he ran a café. Bernard speaks of his fiancée, Muriel, whom Hélène has not met. The past is obscured by guilt, misperceptions, and missed possibilities. Appearances deceive, things change. As Hélène and Alphonse try to sort out a renewal, everyone seems off-kilter just enough to hint that all cannot end well.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
80% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesSolid
6.9 out of 10
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Reach & staying powerSolid
Streaming release that reached a small audience so far; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactBelow par
About 12K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Alain Resnais
- Delphine SeyrigHélène Aughain
- Jean-Pierre KérienAlphonse Noyard
- Jean-Baptiste ThiérréeBernard Aughain
- Nita KleinFrançoise
- Claude SainvalRoland de Smoke
- Laurence BadieClaudie
- Martine VatelMarie-Dominique, aka Marie-Do
- Philippe LaudenbachRobert
- Jean ChampionErnest
- Jean DastéL'homme à la chèvre / The Goat Man