The Soft Skin

Françoise Dorléac,François Truffaut

While on the way to Lisbon to give a lecture on French author Honoré de Balzac, Pierre Lachenay, a married father of one and renowned Parisian academic, locks eyes with Nicole, a statuesque Panair do Brasil flight attendant. As a result, entranced by the lovely lady and emboldened by furtive glances in the elevator, the sought-after intellectual asks Nicole out. After all, it is impossible to ignore the chemistry between them. But in the absence of guarantees, professional commitments and unavoidable domestic routines can only mean one thing: stealing time for adultery can be nerve-racking for everyone involved. Pierre, however, is confident he can make it work. And after 15 years of marriage, the grizzled literary expert wants out. But Pierre flirts with disaster.—Nick Riganas