Director Bertrand Blier shifted focus to a female protagonist in this winner of the Cannes special jury prize. A successful car salesman (Gérard Depardieu) is happily married to his gorgeous wife (Carole Bouquet, actress and longtime face of Chanel, who won a César for this performance), but finds himself falling in love with his rather plain new secretary (Josiane Balasko). The couple learns they share the same feelings and begin an affair. But this particular relationship is harder for his wife—who lives with the burden of people resenting her for her beauty—to accept. The trio periodically addresses the camera directly with their speculations about adultery.

“From the classic triangle, almost farcical, (Blier) tells a shocking story of love through his dreamlike and poetic writing.” —actress Josiane Balasko

► Click here for insights about the "Blier/Depardieu" film series from Michael Zilkha, MFAH film committee co-chair.