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      Story of Women

      Released Oct 13, 1989 1h 50m Drama List
      85% 13 Reviews Tomatometer 78% 1,000+ Ratings Audience Score In Nazi-occupied France, Marie (Isabelle Huppert), a mother of two, is struggling to support her family. Her debilitated husband, Paul (François Cluzet), can no longer work when he comes back from the war. Out of desperation, Marie decides to perform illicit abortions and charge large sums for her services. Before long she's making a considerable amount of money from her secret occupation -- which soon leads her to disregard the ailing Paul and turn her attentions to a lavish new lifestyle. Read More Read Less

      Audience Reviews

      View All (53) audience reviews
      Yellowfur D The situation of women has always been related to politics. And among the people who control politics, there are very few women. It's really rare to find such a good abortion movie that combines women's resistance, unyielding, and trembling with historical and current affairs. This is a movie from 1988. Excellent both mentally and technically. Also, in comparison, France is relatively bold on the subject of abortion, while the United States, please stop making abortion movies in a comedic way. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 10/09/23 Full Review s r 1001 movies to see before you die. A reasonably well made movie about an abortionist in France during WW2. It was depressing despite its unique themes. It was on youtube. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review William L "How could men understand?" Well, I'm with you there. Story of Women is a dramatization of unique circumstances, portraying an illicit abortionist in Nazi-occupied France whose actions the films portray variously as a result of practicality, a general sense of female liberation, and a pointed retribution to her own domestic problems. That's my main issue with the film - it gives Marie's character no firmly established motivation or direction and prefers to throw a slew of them instead of making a choice; a film entirely based around her is doomed to be thematically loose as a result. There is an attempt to interweave a more contemporary perspective on the morality of abortion and its perception in society into the mix, but it's sporadic and never explored in depth. The film tries to create a protagonist of some complexity, which is great, but also refuses to paint any of those character attributes in a negative light. Story of Women is admittedly very well-acted, with Cluzet and particularly Huppert giving strong performances, but the film would today be called Oscar bait with its uncertain footing, narrative that clamors for recognition rather than significance, and towering lead performance. (2.5/5) Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 07/09/21 Full Review Audience Member Led by an outstanding performance from Isabelle Huppert, Une Affaire de Femmes delicately puts moral questions into perspective without resorting to easy judgements. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/19/23 Full Review Audience Member good pic & another lost review flixter! Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review Audience Member Giving insights on France during world war,this movie beautifully captures the emotions of almost everyone getting affected by war,keeping in lead the imperfect Protagonist...! Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/30/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

      Cast & Crew

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      Story of Women

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      Critics Reviews

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      Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times What is Chabrol's message? He does not say. His film is as opaque as his character. Story of Women is a morality play without a conclusion. Rated: 2.5/4 Jan 1, 2000 Full Review Henry Sheehan Los Angeles Reader It is quite simply the masterpiece that shows Chabrol has been growing and changing, modifying his fundamental concerns and refining his already elevated technique, but retaining his extraordinary combination of psychological insight and formal control. Aug 12, 2022 Full Review Rene Jordan El Nuevo Herald (Miami) Story of Women is not an edited spectacle… it simply gives testimony to a twisted life in a demeaning era. [Full review in Spanish] Jul 6, 2022 Full Review Nathanael Hood Nate Hood Reviews ...even during wartime, Chabrol argues, women have a right to live for themselves. Rated: 7/10 Apr 7, 2020 Full Review Cole Smithey ColeSmithey.com Neither Huppert nor the director pass any judgements on Marie's actions, nor does either shy away from her wartime imposed survivalist attitude to the world around her. Rated: A+ May 16, 2009 Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Rated: 4/5 Jul 5, 2005 Full Review Read all reviews

      Movie Info

      Synopsis In Nazi-occupied France, Marie (Isabelle Huppert), a mother of two, is struggling to support her family. Her debilitated husband, Paul (François Cluzet), can no longer work when he comes back from the war. Out of desperation, Marie decides to perform illicit abortions and charge large sums for her services. Before long she's making a considerable amount of money from her secret occupation -- which soon leads her to disregard the ailing Paul and turn her attentions to a lavish new lifestyle.
      Director
      Claude Chabrol
      Distributor
      New Yorker Films
      Production Co
      MK2 Productions, Les Films du Camelia, Films A2
      Genre
      Drama
      Original Language
      French (Canada)
      Release Date (Theaters)
      Oct 13, 1989, Original
      Release Date (DVD)
      Aug 10, 2005
      Runtime
      1h 50m