Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #23321 in DVD
• Released on: 2004-12-28
• Rating: R (Restricted)
• Aspect ratio: 1.66:1
• Formats: Color, Dolby, DVD-Video, Subtitled, Widescreen, Surround Sound, NTSC
• Original language: French
• Subtitled in: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 104 minutes

From the Back Cover
William Faber became a tax accountant like his father and resolved himself to a life where nothing much ever changed. At least until the beautiful Anna walked in one day and mistook his office for the therapist's down the hall. Unsolicited, Anna begins to reveal intimate details of her life which include how she is seeking security by attempting to save her tumultuous marriage. William and Anna find a bond developing between them, one that only true strangers can have, even after she finds out who he really is...or is not! Masterfully directed by French film legen Patrice Leconte ("Man on the Train," "Girl on the Bridge," "The Widow of St. Pierre"), "Intimate Strangers" takes you on a journey into the depths of human relationships and shows just how intimate strangers can be.

Customer Reviews

Intimate Strangers
An attractive woman walks into an office she believes to be that of a psychiatrist and proceeds to reveal her innermost secrets to a baffled tax lawyer. Cue conflict, misunderstandings and wary mutual attraction. That's it really, but charmingly done with good performances and just a hint of underlying menace. Those who are afraid to `make the first move' or have ever regretted not doing so may find themselves squirming in identification with the male character. Enjoyable.

Playful,erotic?...ehh?...not quite enough!
The idea is interesting: a woman walks into a tax accountant's office and mistakes him for a therapist...or does she? She divulges intimate details of her falling apart marriage in a few minutes and leaves. Very noir! This continues for weeks. Does the accountant reveal he is not a therapist? Is he going too far? Is she going too far?

When all is said and done, this terribly laborious Patrice Leconte film has little payoff. The plot, for lack of a better term, builds, but never really explodes. Instead, we are treated to a very unsatisfying bond that never actually materializes. I kept wanting something to justify the DVD advertizement; "Playful,erotic,suspenseful" and "One of the Best Movies of the Year", but nope...didn't happen!

I have seen all of these wonderful French actors before, Fabrice Luchini, Sandrine Bonnaire and Anne Brochet, in much better roles. Patrice Leconte's work still is an up and down affair with me. Apart from Ridicule, Leconte's famous works The Girl On the Bridge (La Fille sur le pont) [ NON-USA FORMAT, PAL, Reg.2 Import - Great Britain ], The Widow of Saint-Pierre, and Man on the Train (L'Homme du Train) leave me flat and wanting. Just not my cup of tea.

French with English subtitles. Wouldn't recommend unless Leconte is your end-all!

interesting subject gets a not so interesting treatment...
Intimate Strangers has some very good moments which compel you to watch more - particularly as the main character wrestles with the mystery of his strange guest.. yet the psychological interest is saddly so spread out and sparse that it is a little difficult to wade accross the entirety of this film.. Somehow you think that a mystery is being held back.. and yet when certain plot elements are revealed it comes as a gret let down..
Nevertheless, there is some fine acting in this movie and at times it truly does shine.. I would recommend it.. but at the same time caution against any high hopes..