Le Plaisir
1952 · Movie · 97 min · ★ 7.5 · 84% critics
This anthology film presents three tales linked by different ideas of pleasure: chasing youth, mixing desire with innocence, and love shadowed by mortality. Each story explores how longing can bring both delight and unease in very different settings.
Also known as House of Pleasure
Where to watch
Streaming on The Criterion Channel.
2 hours to watch.
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Details
- Years
- 1952
- Release date
- 1952-02-29
- Language
- French
- Runtime
- 97 min
- Critic score
- 84/100
- TMDB rating
- 7.5/10 (135 votes)
About
You may enjoy this if you like classic French dramas built around desire, irony, and human contradictions, especially if La Ronde or The Rules of the Game appeal to you; Not for you if you want a single focused storyline.
Pros: rich anthology structure; provocative themes; varied emotional tones | Cons: uneven story impact; dated subject matter; episodic pacing
Awards & recognition
- Academy Award — Best Art Direction, Black and White · 1955 · nominated
Cast & crew
Claude Dauphin
as le docteur
Gaby Morlay
as Denise - la femme d'Ambroise
Madeleine Renaud
as Julia Tellier
Ginette Leclerc
as Madame Flora dite Balançoire
Mila Parély
as Madame Raphaële
Danielle Darrieux
as Madame Rosa
Pierre Brasseur
as Julien Ledentu
Jean Gabin
as Joseph Rivet
Jean Servais
as l'ami de Jean
Daniel Gélin
as Jean
Directed by Max Ophüls