A Man and a Woman: 20 Years Later (1986) User Reviews

Unnecessary Sequel of a Great Romance, or How to Kill a Magnificent Love Story

[claudio_carvalho · 7/10 · 12 February 2005]

Twenty years after their affair, the promoter of the Paris-Dakar race Jean-Louis Duroc (Jean-Louis Trintignant) is called by the producer Anne Gauthier (Anouk Aimée) to Paris. After producing a movie that was a complete failure in audience, Anne intends to make a movie about their love. Meanwhile, a serial killer escapes from the hospital, and is found dead, together with the wife of his doctor. "Un Homme et Une Femme" is a delightful and charming classic romantic movie. Unfortunately, director Claude Lelouche decided to make this sequel, using the same cast, twenty years later. I do not dare to say that "Un Homme et Une Femme, 20 Ans Déjà" is a bad movie. However, it kills, for example, the magnificent open end of the original movie, showing what has happened with Jean-Louis Duroc and Anne Gauthier along twenty years. Further, there is a parallel story, and many sub-plots that are completely out of the context, mixing a romantic story with a thriller and a drama. Jean-Louis Trintignant aged too much, and Anouk Aimée is still very beautiful and elegant, but the wonderful chemistry between them is completely lost. My vote is seven because there are some good points, mainly the filming of the romance of Anne and Jean-Louis, like a movie-in-a-movie.

Title (Brazil): "Um Homem. Um Mulher: 20 Anos Depois" ("A Man. A Woman: 20 Years Later")

A second look

[jotix100 · 5/10 · 27 April 2010]

Sequels to films that made an impact when they first came out are usually a let down. If we enjoyed the original, our perception on the update will probably not be as kind as when we discovered a particular movie for the first time, although there can be exceptions.

That seems to be the case with this film which we never saw when it was released. Claude Lelouch surprised the world with a story that was fresh, had two of the brightest stars of that era, and had a wonderful music score by Francis Lay. Unfortunately, for this second view at the same characters twenty years later, there are no surprises, other than the reunion of Anne and Jean-Louis as they looked twenty years later.

Anne and Jean-Louis who loved each other passionately, now are seen as middle aged individuals that are reunited after their break up, which by the way, it's never made clear why it happened, or how their passion fizzled after what one thought would be a match made in heaven. Anne, a film producer, is going through a bad period in her career. She feels the love story she experienced with Jean-Louis merits to be brought to the screen. For that purpose, she contacts him. Jean-Louis, now involved in a relationship with a younger woman, is skeptical of what Ann wants to do.

Mr. Lelouch introduces another element. Anne, being a producer, is supervising a war epic, as the film starts. The reviews are terrible. Then, she embarks in the making of another drama. The director shows the way movies are done as most of the characters lives revolve around the different sets of films in production. It is a distracting theme that adds nothing to what one thought would be the only reason for the remake of "Une homme et une femme" in the first place.

One thing did not change. Anouk Aimee shows in her mature ravishing beauty, as she lights up the screen whenever she appears. Jean-Louis Trintingnant does not fare as well. He is more of an enigma; we never warm up to him. The film disappoints because one feels manipulated by the director who brings us along with the promise of watching a relationship that went sour, fix whatever problems that got them apart, in doing so, Mr. Lelouch wastes about forty minutes of celluloid before showing the lovers together at long last!

My rating: 7

[kekca · 7/10 · 23 September 2013]

Often it goes like this - big love come into existence and it is unshared. Often it goes also like this - the feelings between (at least) two lovers are not the same and start at a different point.

People say that is harder for the man to live through separation rather than a woman. He felt it in the beginning weakly but with time the lack becomes a pain and the pain - in crisis. It was absolutely opposite for the woman. In the beginning she felt awfully but with time compared to man she got on her feet in searching another rogue.

For good or for bad this movie makes this stereotype in pieces by showing the more realistic variant of a such possible experience. Was it because of the refinement of a cinema woman and (surprisingly) of a race driver or it was because of the soberness of the producer - this is what I do not know - but the movie was very real, charming, romantic till its end. Was it because of the samba of Vinicius or because the love of a blond - this is what I do not know.

Both protagonists, step back in front of the ambition to take main role in life, find equal language which lead them to the natural end of such adventure. But right then, the feelings which run through us, guiding us as we are their marionettes take part; the feelings of which we are slaves. With them the expected end becomes hard to be predicted.

What about twenty years later? Who knows? Who knows where will lead us our life path. Will it make clear our desires or will present to us new ones. In every case such a try to predict this end grows pale in front of the present intensity of sensual forgetfulness and dottiness but stays very good model of thinking plots, real or not.

http://vihrenmitevmovies.blogspot.com/

A bittersweet viewing experience

[Amiesart · 11 August 2001]

Having exquisite memories of the first film, "A Man and a Woman", I looked forward to seeing the sequel, "A Man and a Woman: 20 Years Later."

Yes, there were the famous faces and superb actors (Aimee and Trintigant), looking very little the worse for wear; in other words, wonderful. So expressive, both of them, in facial expression, mood expressions and fantastic acting. However, they are in a losing vehicle, with this film. It is so unmoving, that it relies on several subplots to impart to it some action. Hardly fair to two such stellar actors! They deserve better. And the viewer, alas, deserves better. I am, however, grateful for small things - and if seeing those two magnetic characters again thrilled and elated me...what's a plot? Yes, I would recommend it to any viewer who feels as I do about great actors. Just don't look for anything more; simply bask in their respective glows. Hence, my title: A Bittersweet Viewing Experience.

A mixed bag.

[gridoon · 6/10 · 7 May 2002]

The movie begins badly, with some racing scenes that go on for so long you may start thinking you're watching a James Bond flick. Then it wastes some more time by following the characters in their everyday activities, which are of little interest. But when the couple from "A Man And A Woman' is finally reunited, Lelouch shows that he still hasn't lost his touch when it comes to quiet dialogue scenes, in which expressions speak as loudly as words. And the idea of filming a movie ABOUT the story we saw in the first movie makes for an intriguing re-examination of the original from an unusual perspective - the perspective of the fictional character who starred in it. But Lelouch still can't stay concentrated on the things that really matter, and even when he later introduces a new, completely unexpected story thread (the "adventure" in the desert), he keeps intercutting it with another film-within-a-film, which is boring and pointless. The final impression is that of a film with many good things in it, but also a whole lot of flaws. (**1/2)

If It Ain't Broke ...

[writers_reign · 6/10 · 21 July 2013]

Actually, along with several others, I went to watch the original Un Homme et une femme from 1966 - which explained why the cinema was three quarters full on one of the hottest days of the year. It was a one-off screening past of the 'Sunday French Classics' series but somehow what we got was A Man And A Woman 20 Years After, possibly the renters shipped the wrong title. It was certainly not something I would have turned out for even on a much cooler day but as long as I was there I figured I'd enjoy looking at Anouk Aimee and anything else would be a bonus. Lelouch is far from the most stable of filmmakers at anytime, as a director he reminds one of Michael Caine as an actor - both are so prolific that every eight or nine films they turn up with something worth seeing. Alas, this was somewhere between one and seven which means that the best things in it were the clips from the original.

Very pale sequel

[michelerealini · 4/10 · 13 November 2005]

Sometimes Claude Lelouch makes good films or masterpieces, sometimes not at all.

This sequel of "Un homme et une femme" is useless. It's not a bad movie in itself, because it's well acted, well made and very refined -high quality is a trademark in Lelouch movies. That's why I give 4 stars out of 10...

But it's a useless project. Was it necessary to go back to the story and spoil the original picture? The 1966 film is very simple -it's a masterpiece because of that. There are only Jean-Louis Trintignant and Anouk Aimée, the chemistry is incredible. The film is really poetic, we don't want to know how their love story goes on.

In the 1986 sequel we find them 20 years later -Lelouch tells us what they have become and how they meet again. There are other characters and facts which intersect with them.

As I said not a really bad movie, but it doesn't stand comparison at all with the original. It would have been better not to produce it.

Un homme et une femme: 20 ans encore trop tôt (1986)

[ASuiGeneris · 6/10 · 29 June 2018]

A Man and a Woman: 20 Years Later (French: Un homme et une femme, 20 ans déjà; literally A Man and a Woman, 20 Years Already) (1986) Director: Claude Lelouch Watched: 6/29/18 Rating: 5/10

Released 20 years later With same leading duo, Takes place 20 years later, We see what has changed. Ah, but we never asked to see! We liked the ending. Might be fine as stand alone, But as sequel to Superb and eloquent film That already had A fitting hopeful ending, This fares quite badly, Appearing contrived and forced- Trying to do what? To make something from nothing. Longer than the first, Less story yet more talking; Score pales in contrast, Not to mention recycled. Flashbacks to first film, Compare contrast montages. Ah, so what has changed? Man now retired from racing, Though still does for fun; Happily engaged to Girl, A very young one- Whose older sister is with Man's grown son Antoine. Woman now film producer, Married then divorced; Woman's grown daughter Françoise Tries to dress like her, An actress that works with her. Charming reunion, Affectingly bittersweet. Here things start downhill. Woman called Man- but why now? Wants to make a film, About their great love story- The best of their lives, "The one we never started." Wants his permission. He says no, but she insists. Confounding scenes show Woman's Daughter playing her. Actor playing Man Of course becomes her lover. Ah, so they relive Then watch what fate denied them. Which of course leads to A romantic overnight. Ah, this changes things. An opportune news story, Becomes replacement: Escaped serial killer Murders wife, child, Then his doctor and his wife. Woman nixes her Attempt to reproduce her Love story with Man. A little to close to home? As she begins the New serial killer film- Daughter and lover Still playing the leading roles, Man returns to Girl, Who has learned of the affair. Ah, things get weirder. During desert car rally She wants to go home. "It's the last favor I'll ask." When alone with Man, Slashes tires, cuts wires, Pours out all water. Ah, the naive young in love. Sadly, they are saved, Girl's suicide mission fails. Man goes to Woman, For happy ending at last! Reader confused yet? Was as confusing to watch. Plot aside, what's wrong? Poor editing makes chaos. Inept transitions, What was film and what was real? What was filming film And what was meant to be real? The last five minutes Redeemed the film a little- Little dialogue, Exquisite camera work, Subtly meaningful. Ah, A Man and a Woman: 20 Years is Still Too Soon.

Choka (long poem) is an epic storytelling form of poetry from the Waka period, an unrhymed poem with the 5-7-5-7-5-7-5-7...7 syllable format (any odd number line length with alternating five and seven syllable lines that ends with an extra seven syllable line). #Choka #PoemReview #Sequel

Did we really need this movie?

[embolicat · 1/10 · 11 February 2007]

If you saw "Un Homme et un Femme" and loved it, do yourself a favor and don't watch this one.

I believe Lelouch needed a few extra bucks because this film ruins the story of the first. Did we need to know what happened to Anne and Jean-Louis 20 minutes after the first movie is over? Not really.

And even if you consider this film alone, its still a very boring flick. And pointless. The story makes too many detours with their every day life: what they do now, how they evolved, and constantly needs the support of the first film to make a little sense. At the end of it, one is left with a bitter aftertaste of having betrayed the beautiful first story. Second parts are seldom good, and this movie proves it perfectly.

It Could Be A Greater Movie Than It Is

[Rodrigo_Amaro · 9/10 · 22 April 2010]

In 1966 a beautiful and very artistic film with a very simple story caught the attention of many movie lovers, the romantic and deep "Un Homme et Une Femme", directed by Claude Lelouch and starred by Anouk Aimee and Jean-Louis Trintignant playing the title roles. The movie won the Palm D'Or at Cannes and 2 Academy Awards and was well acclaimed by the public and the critics. 20 years later the same team returned and that return was named properly as "Une Homme et Une Femme, 20 ans Deja" ("A Man and a Woman, 20 Years Later"). The result is quite different of the original film but it has it's good moments and it's full of charm.

Jean-Louis (Trintignant) and Anne Gauthier (Aimee) were a happy couple in the 1960's but for some odd reason they split and follow different paths. Both got married with different persons. The former race car pilot married with a younger woman and now he drives in rallies; the actress is now a film producer married with a TV newscaster. Anne and Jean-Louis have the chance to meet each other again when Anne is producing a movie about their relationship and she wants his consent to make the film and remember the good old days, when they met, they got involved with each other and the song of their lives. But their partners aren't satisfied with that meeting and their jealousy might disturb the calm and lovely encounter.

OK, many have said that this film was unnecessary sequel, that it's weaker than the original film, that this a waste of time and that sometimes was hard to follow because it has an minor plot that looks dislocated of the movie and only near of the end you understand why the minor plot appeared. My opinion over "Un Homme et Une Femme, 20 ans Deja" is that Lelouch missed a good chance to make a great movie, way better than it is. It looks like a poor sequel of a great film mixed with Truffaut's "Le Nuit Americaine" ("Day by Night"). In Truffaut's movie we see all that happens during the making of a film, the actors relationship and the problems that happens while a movie is made. Same thing here. We don't have the chance to see the emotional changes between Anne and Jean-Louis, we've only seen talking about the film she's making and a little bit of their memories. It could have been like "Before the Sunset" was to "Before Sunrise", the reunion of what a passionate couple and their views on life, romance, marriage, fears, secrets, and other similar things discussed by couples when they split and met again years later. It lacked intelligence here, it lacked humor also. But at least you can see the physical difference between Anne and Jean-Louis. Lelouch alternate a few moments with scenes from "Un Homme et Une Femme" and this film. She's still beautiful, very charming; he looks like a villain taken of some B-movie, with beard, nothing similar to what he used to be, seductive and handsome.

Francis Lai's theme music appears here in a Jazz style, way different of the original film but it's still good, a very romantic theme. I liked this sequel because of its nostalgic moments, the city of Paris is beautifully shot, the behind the scenes of Anne's film is very interesting and to see two great talented Jean-Louis Trintignant and Anouk Aimee, they're great together even if the movie is weak. If it wasn't for the scene where Jean-Louis's wife goes crazy in the desert I might give an 10. 9/10

Just for old time's sake...

[nubka · 10/10 · 12 May 2006]

I have a copy of this film and I do watch it from time to time. While I don't think it's so horrible, I could definitely do without the whole crazy patient/doctor/murder storyline. The rest of the movie, I like.

It's interesting to see Jean-Louis and Anne interacting with their now grown up children and to see what paths their lives took after their very brief fling. I think the chemistry is still there between them, and I think they actually look like real middle aged people, not the "perfect plastic botox people" that we so often see in today's films...

I gave this film a 8 out of 10 because(despite it's flaws)it was nice to catch up with the lives of Jean-Louis and Anne.

a thought

[jackgood-81242 · 10/10 · 7 August 2019]

Hi just greetings.. I was born in 2002, and it is amazing to see how time flickers... hope all reviewers have a good life.