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Poster for Belle de Jour

Belle de Jour

Seen it?

1967 | 101 min | Drama, Romance

Saturday Special

Why it’s a Saturday Special

Critics loved it (95% on Rotten Tomatoes) and it's still drawing plenty of interest. A strong pick for the weekend.

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 Fatal Attraction, 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
Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 41 min.
What might put you off
  • Rated R: expect sex.
  • It's in French, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
  • Made in 1967: an older pace and style.
  • Audiences were cooler on it than critics.

Beautiful young housewife Séverine Serizy cannot reconcile her masochistic fantasies with her everyday life alongside dutiful husband Pierre. When her lovestruck friend Henri mentions a secretive high-class brothel run by Madame Anais, Séverine begins to work there during the day under the name Belle de Jour. But when one of her clients grows possessive, she must try to go back to her normal life.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsVery strong

    95% on Rotten Tomatoes

  • AudiencesSolid

    7.3 out of 10

  • AwardsSolid

    Won 1 Venice award: Golden Lion.

  • Reach & staying powerSolid

    Streaming release that reached a solid audience; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactStrong

    About 117K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Luis Buñuel

  • Catherine DeneuveSéverine Serizy
  • Jean SorelPierre Serizy
  • Michel PiccoliHenri Husson
  • Geneviève PageMadame Anais
  • Pierre ClémentiMarcel
  • Françoise FabianCharlotte
  • Macha MérilRenée
  • MuniPallas
  • Maria LatourMathilde
  • Claude CervalThe Driver (uncredited)