The Moustache

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The Moustache

2005

1h 26m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

86%

Tomatometer

43 Reviews

66%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

Marc Thiriez (Vincent Lindon) is an architect who's worn a mustache for many years. Now approaching middle age, he decides to shave it off, naturally expecting others to notice. But when his wife, Agnes (Emmanuelle Devos), ignores the change, he's perturbed. When he asks why, she insists that he hasn't had a mustache for years. When he confronts other friends and colleagues about it, they too tell the same story. As Marc grows increasingly paranoid, his loved ones consider having him committed.

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Critics Consensus

Though the premise may be modest on the surface, Carrere uses a man and his mustache that may or may not exist as a springboard into psychological suspense and unsettling questions.

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John Monaghan

Detroit Free Press

What the movie lacks visually, it makes up for with the performances, especially by Lindon, who leads us on a journey we want to stick with even if we can't fully understand.

Rated: 3/4

Nov 3, 2006

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Stephen Hunter

Washington Post

In one sense it's what might be called 'typically French,' an exquisitely observed fable of bourgeois life that is mordant, witty and yet low-key. In another sense, it's what might be called 'nuts.'

Nov 2, 2006

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Michael Phillips

Chicago Tribune

An absorbing riddle posed in cool, matter-of-fact tones.

Rated: 3/4

Sep 28, 2006

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Felicia Feaster

Creative Loafing

Adapted from a novel by first-time director Carrére, the film retains a literary quality in playing with our faith in the conventions of storytelling and in its sly, understated surrealism.

Jan 29, 2020

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A.S. Hamrah

Boston Phoenix

Carrère shows how a minor change can make the world a different place, how it disappears under our feet without our noticing, how glimpses into little truths can make the people around us seem hostile and ultimately drive us mad.

Rated: 3/4

Jul 6, 2010

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Eric Monder

Film Journal International

Those looking for a good thriller should be pleased enough and those seeking a serious art film will get plenty of philosophy with their pretty pictures.

Mar 1, 2007

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Stephen C

Success in 1 hour and 26 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! In French (France) and American English audio options with American English subtitles!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/22/25

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Audience Member

I'm French and can't stand these pretentious type of French movies. It was a boring, pseudo intellectual film. That's 2 hours I'll never get back!!

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

02/09/23

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kirby p

Absolutely terrible movie. Watch the interview in the bonus features to see the director explain how important it was to film stuff that didn't go into the movie so the actors knew what was going on. He also points out that he cannot explain the movie because he himself doesn't understand it.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Audience Member

5.6/10, my review: http://wp.me/p1eXom-2ql

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/05/23

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Audience Member

Strange and intriguing.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/27/23

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Audience Member

Marc shaves his mustache and with it, he goes to the other side of the mirror, where his world becomes strange. I'm not repeating the story here, see other reviews for this. I want to add that what is strange is that Marc has clear evidence that his wife and his two closest friends are lying and he becomes deeply shaken. In my view, these three characters are the people he loves the most and their lies are hurting him. Behind strong allures, he his vulnerable because of the love he has. He is not a psychopath, basically. However, his wife and friends, whether it is a joke or a sinister way to push him into depression and suicide, appears to be psychopathic. I think this is the main point of the movie. In the end, Marc escapes without leaving clues to them but they find him before he sends them an adieu, maybe a final adieu to the world or a new beginning without them. Once found, and his wife and friends now acting normally, he gets rid of the unsent token or last adieu, too happy to get back into the cosy feelings of love....that may not really exist because of their psychopathy. This film appears to be idiotic at first but asks deep questions about the value of life, love, friendship. It marks philosophical points.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/20/23

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Emmanuel Carrère

Director

Vincent Lindon

Marc Thiriez

Emmanuelle Devos

Agnès Thiriez

Mathieu Amalric

Serge Schaeffer

Hippolyte Girardot

Bruno

Cylia Malki

Samira

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Synopsis

Marc Thiriez (Vincent Lindon) is an architect who's worn a mustache for many years. Now approaching middle age, he decides to shave it off, naturally expecting others to notice. But when his wife, Agnes (Emmanuelle Devos), ignores the change, he's perturbed. When he asks why, she insists that he hasn't had a mustache for years. When he confronts other friends and colleagues about it, they too tell the same story. As Marc grows increasingly paranoid, his loved ones consider having him committed.

Director: Emmanuel Carrère
Producer: Anne-Dominique Toussaint
Screenwriter: Jérôme Beaujour, Emmanuel Carrère
Production Co: Les Films des Tournelles
Genre: Drama
Original Language: Chinese
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 1, 2016
Runtime: 1h 26m
Sound Mix: Dolby

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