Mistress

NC-17

1975

1h 52m

Comedy

Drama

List

88%

8 Reviews

Tomatometer

72%

500+ Ratings

Audience Score

After breaking into a house he believes is empty, thief Olivier (Gérard Depardieu) is caught by the owner, Ariane (Bulle Ogier), who turns out to be a dominatrix. Improbably falling for her, Olivier returns periodically, and an impulsive romance blossoms despite Ariane's profession. Soon Olivier becomes more familiar with her work, even joining in on occasion. However, when he discovers that Ariane has a son, he attempts to "fix" her, hoping to give her a better life.

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Danielle Spencer

Los Angeles Free Press

Director Barbet Schroeder does not impose a point of view on his audience. He does not condemn, nor does he promote. He presents. It is a phenomenal feat of skill and sensitivity.

Oct 28, 2019

Full Review

Fernando Trueba

El Pais (Spain)

An elegant exercise of twisted intelligence and perverse moralism. [Full Review in Spanish]

Jul 31, 2019

Full Review

Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

It was a shocker when first released and was banned in several counties.

Rated: B+

May 14, 2019

Full Review

Cole Smithey

ColeSmithey.com

Released in 1976, Schroeder's exploration of a behind-the-scenes life of a professional dominatrix features one of Gerard Depardieu's debut film performances.

Rated: A-

Nov 24, 2017

Full Review

Fernando F. Croce

CinePassion

Schroeder's comedy is as wry and dapper as Buuel's

Oct 8, 2009

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 5/5

Aug 1, 2005

Full Review

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Dave S

Once you get over the trauma of watching a penis get nailed to a piece of wood, you'll realize that Barbet Schroeder's Maitresse is a love story like any other…well, not fully, but pretty much. When a petty thief and a dominatrix, played respectively by a very young Gerard Depardieu and the always luminous Bulle Ogier, meet under the most unlikely of circumstances, sparks soon fly and whips quickly crack. As unpalatable as it may be at times (horse lovers beware), it is a beautiful film to look at thanks to some stunning cinematography combined Schroeder's ability to frame shots and block scenes. Clearly, Maitresse is not for everyone but for those willing to give it a go, it'll prove to be a rewarding experience.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/01/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Now we're talking!! Just perfect!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/28/23

Full Review

Audience Member

The film would be perfect if it weren't for a small problem: Olivier is an asshole and has a very abusive behavior. This movie was supposed to be romantic, but you spend the whole movie hoping Ariane will get rid of Olivier and continue her dominatrix life without him around. Overall the BDSM scenes in this movie are pretty good. But that scene of Olivier watching the horse being slaughtered was kind of unnecessary and adds nothing to the film.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/05/23

Full Review

anthony p

Rather strange/shocking French film directed by Barbet Schroeder from the mid Seventies. Why did I end up watching. I have absolutely no idea! It certainly made a change from normal Monday night television viewing. It stars Gerard Depardieu as a young 'normal' Frenchman called Olivier who falls in love with a dominatrix. The Maitresse or mistress of the film's title Ariane (Bulle Ogier). What follows is not only a journey of companionship for Olivier but a look into the heady profession of a French dominatrix. The subtitles are only a minor distraction amongst the Fifty Shades Of Grey style room of pain lifestyle of Ariane. Does Ariane need her rather unconventional lifestyle after she finds love with Olivier? The film attempts successfully to answer that question over its 108 minute or so running time of French cinema at its mid seventies best. The film was originally granted an X certificate for its obscenity in the 1970s. Why did I watch this?

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Gérard Depardieu and a buddy break into an apartment looking to rob it. The apartment belongs to a dominatrix who enlists Depardieu first as an assistant, then as a lover. Depardieu's jealously and neediness ultimately sabotages the relationship, but not before we see quite a lot of details about her job. I'm a fan of Schroeder's work, and this is ultimately one of the best films of his I have seen to date. Young Depardieu is an extremely volatile and energetic actor, reminding me quite a bit of De Niro from the same period. WARNING: This film contains pretty graphic abuse of a penis and the actual slaughtering of a horse. The ultimate lesson appears to be ... don't have sex while driving a car. dammit.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/01/23

Full Review

Audience Member

cinegeek.de In Maitresse sind die Welt des Alltags und die der geheimen Wünschen nur durch eine geheime Falltür voneinander getrennt. Im oberen Stockwerk befindet sich die Wohnung von Ariane (Bulle Ogier), unten ihr BDSM Studio. Olivier (Gérard Depardieu) ist an sich ganz unbedeutend, ein Kleinkrimineller, der durch Zufall auf das geheime Studio stösst. Sie erwischt ihn während eines Einbruchs und fortan hilft er ihr bei der Arbeit als Domina. Enfant Terrible Barbet Schroeder bietet uns ein gegensätzliches Liebespaar an. Nicht nur der Altersunterschied, die sexuelle Erfahrung und das Einkommen trennen beide. Bis dahin lebte Olivier in der Welt oben und Ariane unten. Eine Liebesgeschichte zwischen den Stockwerken, zwischen Maledom und Femdom beginnt, die wir dem Film nur aus einem einzigen Grund abnehmen: Gerard Depardieu. Seine Figur besitzt nichts, dass er dieser Frau bieten könnte, ausser Neugier und Abenteuergeist. Beides spielt Depardieu nicht nur, er strahlt es mit jeder Faser seines Leibes aus! Wir glauben dieser älteren Dame, wie sie den jungen "Schüler" immer anziehender findet. Um aber zu begreifen, dass beide immer noch Welten voneinander getrennt leben, bietet Schroeders Film so einiges auf: Kostüme von Karl Lagerfeld und das Set-Design von Allen Jones. Fotografiert wurde das Werk von keinem Geringeren als Nestor Almendros, dem wohl besten Kameramann seiner Zeit! Es gibt nicht viele Filme, welche die Welt des BDSM so verstanden haben wie Schroeders Werk. All die Geräte, sie sind nur Spielzeug. Entscheidend ist die Vorstellung, dass hier eine Herrin ihrem Untergebenen gebietet und ihn heranzieht. Sie braucht den Masochismus des Mannes, er geniesst ihre Überlegenheit. Daraus entsteht ihre Amour Fou. Ein Märchen aber hat Schroeder nicht gemacht, denn sein Paar muss Beziehungsprobleme durchleben, wie wir alle sie kennen. Ist es für die priviligierte Domina und den Kleinkriminellen gar unmöglich, als gleichberechtigtes Paar zu leben? Während einer Tour durch den Wald kommen sie von der Strasse ab - buchstäblich vom Weg. Die treibende Kraft ihrer Liebe, das ist die masochistische Lust. Erst als Olivier wie wild mit dem Auto durch den Wald jagt, kann er Ariane eine genauso grosse Lust verschaffen wie sie ihm. (Dazu gibts unsere Film List "Arthaus Exzess - Frankreich in den 70ern" auf cinegeek.de

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/31/23

Full Review

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Barbet Schroeder

Director

Gérard Depardieu

Olivier

Bulle Ogier

Ariane

Andre Rouyer

Mario

Nathalie Keryan

Lucienne

Tony Taffin

Emile

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Synopsis

After breaking into a house he believes is empty, thief Olivier (Gérard Depardieu) is caught by the owner, Ariane (Bulle Ogier), who turns out to be a dominatrix. Improbably falling for her, Olivier returns periodically, and an impulsive romance blossoms despite Ariane's profession. Soon Olivier becomes more familiar with her work, even joining in on occasion. However, when he discovers that Ariane has a son, he attempts to "fix" her, hoping to give her a better life.

Director: Barbet Schroeder
Screenwriter: Barbet Schroeder, Paul Voujargol
Production Co: Les Films du Losange, Gaumont
Rating: NC-17
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: French (Canada)
Release Date (DVD): Feb 3, 2004
Runtime: 1h 52m