Five Day Lover

Easily the most satisfying of the three films that Philippe de Broca made with Jean-Pierre Cassel between 1960 and 1961. In this frivolous, bittersweet comedy Claire, who is married with two children, has an affair with Antoine who is being kept by an older woman played by Micheline Presle. The quartet of stars is fabulous and the performance that steals the show is that of Francois Périer as the understanding husband.

The settings of Paris and Versailles not to mention the magical theme music of Georges Delerue all add to the films appeal.

In the opening scene we see the enchanting Claire of Jean Seberg being 'picked up' all too quickly by the charming Cassel as Antoine. Needless to say the affair runs its course and although she goes back to her husband, the final, haunting scene makes us wonder if it is only a question of time before she strays again.

It is such a pity that Seberg tired of working in France as Truffaut was by all accounts an admirer of her work and would have liked her to star in 'La Nuit Americaine'. Back in Hollywood it would not be long before the storm clouds gathered over this lovely and sensitive actress.