LOVE ON THE RUN (L'AMOUR EN FUITE)

France, 1978, 95 minutes, Colour.
Jean- Pierre Leaud, Marie- France Pisier, Claude Jade.
Directed by Francois Truffaut.

Love On The Run is the fifth film in Francois Truffaut's story of Antoine Doinel. The series began in 1959 with The 400 Blows, continued in the short film of 1963 Love At Twenty. Antoine's adult life and marriage was treated in Stolen Kisses (1967) and Bed And Board (1970). Truffaut has said this is the last film in the series. Jean- Pierre Leaud has been the hero of all the films. Marie- France Pisier and Claude Jade continue their roles from the previous films. This film uses very much footage from all the films, almost all of Love At Twenty. It would seem that Truffaut has not much more to say about Antoine Doinel. The director's own life has diverged considerably and successfully from that of his young character. The character himself has become much less interesting than the director.

1. The focus on Antoine Doinel over 20 years? Audience interest in Truffaut's work, in his character? How important is the seeing of previous films for appreciation of this film? Audiences knowing Antoine and his characteristics, his background? This film as romantic, the ingredients of soap opera? Francois Truffaut's humane touch? Its Gallic appeal?

2. The work of Francois Truffaut and his career over 20 years? The contrast with Antoine Doinel and his not really growing up? His background as an orphan and the difficulties of his early life, his womanising, the production of one novel, proof-reading? Truffaut's own success? Truffaut’s affection for his character and his continually presenting him? Doinel as a Parisian and Frenchman?

3. The incompleteness of this film and its reliance on the previous films? The incorporation of the footage from the previous films throughout? How well integrated? Emphasising the slightness of this particular story?

4. The Gallic tone of the film? Its charm? The style of character, preoccupations, manners and morals? The Parisian photography and atmosphere? The musical score, the theme song?

5. Antoine Doinel in his relationships with women? The relationship with Sabine, with his wife? Alfonse and his love for his son? Taking him to school? His devotion to his son and his losing out on relationships with the women? Antoine as always hurrying, on the run? The breakdown of his marriage, the build-up to the divorce? The place of Alfonse in the divorce - outings, care from his father? The relationship with Sabine, the clash with her, the return? The memories of Collette? Encountering her by accident again? The impulsive train trip? Discussions? The memories? The novel? Collette seeing herself in the novel? Their decision to remain friends? The past and its difficulties - and its not seeming to have a great traumatic effect on Antoine's future? Did Antoine's past explain him or not?

6. The portrayal of Antoine's wife - her relationship with her husband, changing over the years, the decision about the divorce, her discussions with him, the presence at the court and the divorce itself? The encounter with Collette and their sharing memories and experiences?

7. Collette and her personality, her place in Antoine's past, her marriage, the death of her child, her work and her skill? The significance of her work on the murder case? Her colleagues? The trip, her response to Antoine's impulsiveness? Discussions with his wife? Her relationship with Xavier and its ambiguities?

8. The portrait of Sabine her vigour? The story of the man on the phone? Her response to Antoine a possible future?

9. The resolution of the film and the end of Antoine's story? Reality, fantasy? The portrait of a man, his relationships with women? Love and relationships? The continued search for identity?