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A rich guy flees to Tahiti to find himself—and his wife is NOT having it.
TMDB
78

The Ambitious One (1959)

midlife crisis in paradisefamily dramaexistential escape

Overview

Drama

This Yves Allegret film is set in French Polynesia and stars Edmond O'Brien, Richard Basehart, Andrea Parisy, Nicole Berger and Reg Lye. Basehart is the black sheep of a wealthy family of mining financiers based in France. He dumps the family life style and heads to Tahiti to make it on his own. His wife, Andrea Parisy, is less than amused with Basehart's choice.

Flag of FRFRFrench
Content warning

Standout Aspects

Cinematography

Tahiti looks impossibly lush, almost mocking the characters' misery.

Acting

Basehart simmers with entitled restlessness; Parisy delivers magnificent side-eye.

Best for:Solo: Perfect for brooding on your own life choices at 2am.·Date Night: Test if your relationship survives 'running away to Tahiti' as fantasy.
Yves Allégret

Director

Yves Allégret

ReleasedOct 14, 1959
Runtime1h 29m
StatusReleased

Vibe

Paceslow
Intensitymedium
Tonemixed
Feelmedium
Flora Film
Silver Films

Top Cast

Edmond O'Brien

Edmond O'Brien

Mike Buchanan

Richard Basehart

Richard Basehart

George Rancourt

Andréa Parisy

Andréa Parisy

Dominique Rancourt

Nicole Berger

Nicole Berger

Claire Rancourt

Reg Lye

Reg Lye

Matthews

Denise Vernac

Denise Vernac

Edwige Rancourt

Pierre Brice

Pierre Brice

(Uncredited)

Jean Marchat

Jean Marchat

Albert Rancourt

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Deep Dive

Trivia, insights & behind the scenes

Cultural

Shot during France's brutal Algerian War, the film's tropical escapism reads as anxious fantasy for exhausted audiences.

Trivia

Basehart was fresh off playing a trapped submarine commander in 'Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea'—here he's trapped by family instead of water.

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