''Loulou'' is a 1980 French drama film directed by

Maurice Pialat Maurice Pialat (; 31 August 1925 – 11 January 2003) was a French film director, screenwriter and actor known for the rigorous and unsentimental style of his films. His work is often described as " realist",

and starring

Isabelle Huppert Isabelle Anne Madeleine Huppert (; born 16 March 1953) is a French actress. Described as "one of the best actresses in the world", she is known for her portrayals of cold and disdainful characters devoid of morality. She is the recipient of sev ...

and Gérard Depardieu. For ''Loulou'', Pialat was nominated for the

Golden Palm The Palme d'Or (; en, Golden Palm) is the highest prize awarded at the Cannes Film Festival. It was introduced in 1955 by the festival's organizing committee. Previously, from 1939 to 1954, the festival's highest prize was the Grand Prix du Fe ...

award at the

1980 Cannes Film Festival The 33rd Cannes Film Festival was held between 9 and 23 May 1980. The Palme d'Or went to the '' All That Jazz'' by Bob Fosse and ''Kagemusha'' by Akira Kurosawa. The festival opened with '' Fantastica'', directed by Gilles Carle and closed with ' ...

Plot summary

In a disco with her husband André, a cultured man who owns a small advertising agency in which she works, Nelly meets Loulou, who is just out of jail and drunk. She spends the night with him in a hotel. The next day, André orders her out of his spacious apartment, so she moves into a hotel room with Loulou, who she supports as he does not believe in work. When she becomes pregnant, she rents a small apartment for them which Loulou fills with his criminal friends, who one night take her on a burglary. Her well-off brother tries to get her to see sense, but she just wants Loulou and their forthcoming child. When Loulou and his gang take her to Sunday lunch with his mother, there is a frightening confrontation with his psychotic brother-in-law who starts firing a shotgun. Realising at last the impossibility of having the child in such an environment, Nelly has an abortion. Loulou is hurt, but the film ends as it began with the two staggering home drunk.

Cast

as Nelly * Gérard Depardieu as Loulou *

Guy Marchand Guy Marchand (born 22 May 1937) is a French actor, musician and singer. He is best known for his role as fictional private detective Nestor Burma. Selected filmography * 1962: '' The Longest Day'' as an extra (Uncredited) * 1975: '' Cousin ...

as André *

Humbert Balsan Humbert Jean René Balsan (21 August 1954 – 10 February 2005) was a French film producer and chairman of the European Film Academy. He was known for securing financing and distribution for diverse and often challenging films. In February 2005 ...

as Michel * Bernard Tronczak as Rémy *Christian Boucher as Peirot * Frédérique Cerbonnet as Dominique *

Jacqueline Dufranne Jacqueline may refer to: People * Jacqueline (given name), including a list of people with the name * Jacqueline Moore (born 1964), ring name "Jacqueline", American professional wrestler Arts and entertainment * ''Jacqueline'' (1923 film), ...

as Mémère * Willy Safar as Jean-Louis * Agnès Rosier as Cathy * Patricia Coulet as Marité * Jean-Claude Meilland as Jean-Claude, le gars du casse * Patrick Playez as Thomas *

Gérald Garnier Gérald is a French male given name, a variant of the old Géraud and more common Gérard, both equivalent to Gerald in English. People with the name include: * Gérald Mossé * Gérald de Palmas * Gérald Leblanc Less frequently the French name ...

as Lulu *

Catherine De Guirchitch Katherine, also spelled Catherine, and other variations are feminine names. They are popular in Christian countries because of their derivation from the name of one of the first Christian saints, Catherine of Alexandria. In the early Christ ...

as Marie-Jo *

Jean Van Herzeele Jean may refer to: People * Jean (female given name) * Jean (male given name) * Jean (surname) Fictional characters * Jean Grey, a Marvel Comics character * Jean Valjean, fictional character in novel ''Les Misérables'' and its adaptations * Jea ...

as René *

Patrick Poivey Patrick Poivey (18 February 1948 – 16 June 2020) was a French actor. He was primarily known for being a voice actor, having dubbed Bruce Willis's films and series from 1987 until his death. Filmography *'' Loulou'' (1980) ... Philippe *'' Wata ...

as Philippe *

Xavier Saint-Macary Xavier Saint-Macary (June 7, 1948 – March 13, 1988) was a French actor, brother of Hubert Saint-Macary. Saint-Macary played in ''La Nuit américaine'' (1973) directed by François Truffaut and '' Le Château perdu'' (1973). American audiences ...

as Bernard

References

External links

* * 1980 films 1980 drama films Adultery in films 1980s French-language films Films directed by Maurice Pialat Films scored by Philippe Sarde French drama films French pregnancy films 1980s French films {{1980s-France-film-stub