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The Invitation (1973)

Director: Claude Goretta

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Movie review

From Time Out Film Guide

Truly delightful comedy from Goretta, later better known for The Lacemaker. A very simple plot - quiet office clerk inherits a marvellous country house when his beloved mother dies, and invites his 'friends' from work over for a summer garden party. But what distinguishes the film is its acute observation, and the way it gently scrapes away the stereotypes - office lecher, buffoon, nymphet, henpecked husband, etc - to reveal more complex figures all locked in private worlds of hope, loneliness, and despair. The film has aptly been compared to the work of Renoir, not only for its narrative similarity to La Règle du Jeu, but also because Goretta's tender yet unsentimental generosity towards his characters is akin to the French master's dictum that 'everybody has his reasons'.

Author: GA 0000-00-00 00:00:00

Time Out Film Guide

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User reviews of this film

  • steve said...
    Posted on Feb 19 2009 23:00 This is a truly wonderful film. The acting is natural and so perceptive. I really can't think of another film like it I've seen. Wish more people knew about it, and totally agree with your reviewer.
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Cast & crew

Director: Claude Goretta

Producer: Yves Peyrot

Cast: Michel Robin, Jean-Luc Bideau, Jean Champion, Pierre Collet, Corinne Coderey, Rosine Rochette, François Simon full cast

Genre(s): Comedy

Duration: 100 mins


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