Loulou (1980)

Loulou Poster

Nelly, a restless young woman abandons her bourgeois friends and a steady relationship for the unemployed wild, leather-clad bad boy Loulou, whose charms include focusing his energy into sex.

Title: Loulou (1980)
Introduction
"Loulou" is a French drama movie released in 1980, directed by Maurice Pialat and written by Arlette Langmann and Pialat. The film stars Isabelle Huppert, Gérard Depardieu, and Guy Marchand in leading roles, along with Humbert Balsan and Bernard Tronczak in supporting functions. The movie was chosen to contend for the Palme d'Or at the 1980 Cannes Film Festival. "Loulou" checks out the styles of social class, love, and self-discovery, and is a crucial European movie from the 1980s.

Plot
"Loulou" tells the story of Nelly (played by Isabelle Huppert), a bourgeois female who is wed to André (played by Guy Marchand), the owner of an advertising agency. Nelly is unfulfilled in her marital relationship, and throughout a night out at a club, she satisfies Loulou (played by Gérard Depardieu), a young, carefree ex-convict without any job or money.

Nelly is instantly attracted to Loulou and starts an affair with him. Loulou introduces her to his world, which is far gotten rid of from her fortunate presence. As Nelly begins to question her relationship with André and her location in society, she also embarks on a journey of self-discovery with Loulou's help. She quickly leaves André, picking to live with Loulou in a studio apartment, where she pays the rent and supports him economically.

Characters
- Nelly (Isabelle Huppert): The film's protagonist, Nelly is a bourgeois partner who finds herself drawn to Loulou, a male from a completely different social class. Her journey of self-discovery, combined with her shifting relationship characteristics, forms the psychological core of the movie.

- Loulou (Gérard Depardieu): Loulou is an ex-convict who lacks aspiration, but his carefree and unrestrained nature is what draws in Nelly. Regardless of his defects, Loulou's love for Nelly is real, and he supplies her with an escape from her stifling life with André.

- André (Guy Marchand): André is Nelly's husband, who owns an advertising agency. He is controlling and thinks he understands what is finest for Nelly. As the story unfolds, André becomes significantly consumed with winning back his other half from Loulou.

Styles
1. Social Class: The significant style in "Loulou" is the exploration of social class differences and the obstacles that such distinctions can bring into romantic relationships. Nelly and Loulou's relationship goes beyond the limits of their respective social backgrounds, showing that love can sometimes conquer social expectations.

2. Love and Desire: "Loulou" delves into the complexities of love and desire, as Nelly succumbs to Loulou regardless of the differences in their social status. The movie checks out how libido can sometimes lead to genuine psychological connections, even if they are not considered acceptable by society.

3. Self-Discovery: Throughout the film, Nelly goes through a journey of self-discovery as she questions her place in society and her relationship with André. With Loulou's help, she begins to check out the person she genuinely wants to be, instead of the person she has actually been molded into by societal expectations.

Reception and Legacy
"Loulou" was well-received upon its release, earning vital appreciation for its performances, instructions, and exploration of complex styles. Isabelle Huppert and Gérard Depardieu got distinctions for their portrayals of their respective characters, further developing their careers as leading French actors of the time.

"Loulou" is considered an important movie in the canon of European cinema due to its exploration of social norms and relationships. Its impact can be seen in later works that concentrate on class divide and love that transcends boundaries. "Loulou" stays a testament to the filmography of Maurice Pialat and the acting talents of Isabelle Huppert and Gérard Depardieu.

Top Cast

  • Isabelle Huppert (small)
    Isabelle Huppert
    Nelly
  • Gérard Depardieu (small)
    Gérard Depardieu
    Loulou
  • Guy Marchand (small)
    Guy Marchand
    André
  • Humbert Balsan (small)
    Humbert Balsan
    Michel
  • Christian Boucher
    Pierrot
  • Bernard Tronczak
    Rémy
  • Frédérique Cerbonnet
    Dominique
  • Jacqueline Dufranne
    Mémère
  • Willy Safar
    Jean-Louis
  • Agnès Rosier
    Cathy
  • Patricia Coulet
    Marité