My American Uncle

My American Uncle

1980 · 126 min · FR · 7.0 (164 votes)
Dir. Alain Resnais · Starring Gérard Depardieu, Nicole Garcia, Roger Pierre, Nelly Borgeaud, Pierre Arditi, Gérard Darrieu · Music Arié Dzierlatka
ComedyDramaRomance

Prof. Henri Laborit uses the stories of the lives of three people to discuss behaviorist theories of survival, combat, rewards and punishment, and anxiety. René is a technical manager at a textile factory and must face the anxiety caused by corporate downsizing. Janine is a self-educated actress/stylist who learns that the wife of her lover is dying and must decide to let them reunite. Jean is a controversial career-climbing writer/politician at a crossroads in life.

VIBE

A cerebral, dialogue-heavy exploration of human behavior and societal constraints. It feels like a stimulating, slightly detached lecture on life's absurdities, wrapped in a thoughtful, character-driven drama. Best pondered alone.

intellectualwrymelancholicthought-provokingsteadyarthousephilosophicaldialogue-drivenessay filmbehaviorismanxietysocietal pressuresexistentialism
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psychologybourgeoisiepunishmentrewardtextile company