Original title
The Night and the Moment
Genre
Drama
Rated R
Directed by
Anna Maria Tatò
Written by
Jean-Claude Carrière
Claude-Prosper de Jolyot Crebillon (novel)
Country
UK / France / Italy
1995
Running time
ca. 90 min
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 Summary
Shortly following his release from prison, where he had been held an unknown number of months, The Writer finds himself the guest of a long-time friend of his, The Marquise.
One night after dinner, he sneaks into her bedroom, whereupon he reluctantly proceeds to regale her with tales of his many libidinous exploits with other women, several of whom have also arrived to spend a quiet weekend in the country as a guest of the beautiful marchioness.
In the midst of this delicious and steamy gossip-fest, The Writer weaves in his own experience with true love, unexpectedly found in the mysterious woman imprisoned in the cell next to his.
As the two stories unfold, we are given glimpses of two different men: One, the shameless conqueror of women – a man who stops at nothing to have a woman if he desires her. The other, a man who falls deeply in love with a woman he has never seen – a woman he knows only through the notes they share through a secret hole in the walls separating their cells.
The Marquise - Lena Olin
A noble and virtuous woman whose own heart has been much used and abused by the love of her life, The Marquise makes it known that she has no desire to fall in love.
Yet, as she charms and coaxes The Writer to tell her stories of his conquests, her apparent aloofness towards him shifts fluidly to become flirtatious and inviting…just enticing enough to keep him talking. As his tale unfolds, we learn that she safeguards her own heart so dearly, because her beloved husband’s repeated infidelities hurt her cruelly.
By the end, The Marquise proves just how far she is willing to go to find true love.
Main Cast
Willem Dafoe
Lena Olin
Jean-Claude Carriere
Miranda Richardson
Carole Richert
Clifford De Spenser
Axelle Grelet
Christine Sireyzol
Ivan Bacciocchi
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The Writer
The Marquise
The Governor
Julie
Armande
The Marquis
The Marquise's maid
Justine
Prison Guard
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Memorable Quotes
Marquise: What are you doing here?
Writer: Admiring your skill.
Marquise: I was only trying to frighten it. I hate being waked out of a sound sleep.
Writer: What if it comes back?
Marquise: I have more arrows.
Marquise: And I thought you might be planning a sleepless night... but not with me.
Marquise: You must have been miserable.
Writer: Yet I had an experience in that cell, Madame, that I will never forget.
Marquise: I'm sure you will.
Marquise: You had her. I know you did. What more is there to hear but the details?
Marquise: It should have occurred to you... although few men have failed to possess her, not one has ever boasted of it.”
Writer: She wore a mask – a leather mask.
Marquise: She was probably someone important.
Writer: Yes. To me, she was.
Marquise: Did you confess?
Writer: I hadn't been asked to, but some confessions must come easily.
Marquise: And others are totally impossible.
Marquise: Are you trying to persuade me that you are in love with me?
Writer: Didn't you know?
Marquise: I have a heart that's tender and true, yet I'm considered a seductress. I want people to forget me.
Marquise: I don't want you to enlighten me too. It's all too... scholarly... for me.
Marquise: I once had a passionate desire for a man I couldn't possibly show in public.
Marquise: This is very unfunny clowning.
Marquise: What favors? Either I grant nothing, or I grant them all.
Marquise: You know the saying... you've made a long voyage to discover the voyager?
Background Info
IMDb Movie Info
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The Lena Olin Forum
The Night and the Moment
