Muriel, or the Time of Return

In the seacoast town of Boulogne, antique furniture saleswoman Hélène lives with her stepson, Bernard, who's back from military duty in Algiers. An old lover of Hélène's comes to visit, Alphonse, with his niece Françoise; he too is back from Algiers, where he ran a café. Bernard speaks of his fiancée, Muriel, whom Hélène has not met. The past is obscured by guilt, misperceptions, and missed possibilities. Appearances deceive, things change. As Hélène and Alphonse try to sort out a renewal, everyone seems off-kilter just enough to hint that all cannot end well.

Release Date

Oct 1, 1963

Runtime

1h 57m

Director

Alain Resnais

Original Title

Muriel, ou le Temps d'un retour

Country

Italy, France

Company

Alpha Productions, Argos films