In this romantic farce, former opera-singer and current music festival organizer Hermance (Judith Magre) is married to Charles-Henry (Jean Roquel). However, she still has a passion for her former lover Simon (Carlo Brandt), but he has a thing for Francoise (Sabine Haudepin). Meanwhile, Nathalie (Tonie Marshall) keeps trying to put the moves on Hippolyte (Jacques Bonnafe), who is either unaware of or is ignoring her efforts, while her lackluster former lover Christian (Michel Gauthier) looks on and stays out of the whole mess. Who comes out the worst in this deal? Naturally enough, it's Christian, the fellow who has, for good or ill, kept the most distance from it, when Hermance, who seems jealous of everyone, tries to get even with Simon for running off with Francoise. Don't worry, it's supposed to be confusing.
Acting
Judith Magre's operatic jealousy is deliciously unhinged.
Writing
Script embraces confusion as deliberate comic weapon.
Director
Jacques Davila
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Tonie Marshall later became a celebrated director herself; this early role shows her studying chaotic female characters.
The title references Cicero's failed political campaign—a sly nod to romantic defeat as public humiliation.
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