Cent francs l'amour (1986) Directed by Jacques Richard
Romance / Comedy / Drama
Film Review
With its bizarre bisexual love triangle and saucy eroticism, Cent francs l'amour
was one of the most unusual French romantic comedies of the 1980s. Although
the plot is somewhat implausible, the film makes some intelligent observations on the
nature of obsession and shows what lengths individuals are prepared to go to when hooked
by the power of love. Don't be misled by the opening credit sequence, which gives
the impression of a cheap piece of Emmanuelle-style erotica.
The film stars Pierre-Loup Rajot, one of the sexiest French male actors of the day, a
fact which both director and cinematographer exploit to the full. His co-star, Valérie
Steffen, is not quite so impressive as an actress, but her Bardot-esque beauty makes her
a convincing object of desire, and her peepshow sequences are the stuff of quality soft-core
porn videos. Alluring as these two actors are, the best performances are from Richard
Bohringer and Dominique Pinon. Bohringer's restrained dramatic portrayal of a lonely
middle-aged homosexual is full of pathos and bitterness, whilst Pinon is peculiarly convincing
as the self-obsessed writer who turns to prostitution to make a quick buck.
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Film Synopsis
Jérémy is a struggling young photographer who desperately needs
some cash so that he can put on an exhibition of his work. He finds
a willing backer in Maurice, a solitary older man who offers him money in
exchange for his company. With his relationship with his girlfriend
Camille heading for the rocks, Jérémy pays his one hundred
francs and enters a peepshow. It is here that he encounters the beautiful
Otie, under whose intoxicating spell he soon falls. Otie refuses to
meet Jérémy in any other place, so to indulge his ever-increasing
obsession for this stunning siren the photographer has only one course of action.
He must use the money Maurice has given him to make repeated visits to the peepshow. One
hundred francs a throw is the price of his love...
From Jean Renoir to François Truffaut, French cinema has no shortage of truly great filmmakers, each bringing a unique approach to the art of filmmaking.
From its birth in 1895, cinema has been an essential part of French culture. Now it is one of the most dynamic, versatile and important of the arts in France.