Impossible Object (1973)

A married writer (Alan Bates) is having an affair with a married woman (Dominique Sanda). Unable to leave their spouses, their relationship struggles as he is satisfied with the status quo but she wants a more permanent arrangement. Based on the novel by Nicholas Mosley (who adapted his novel for the screen) and directed by John Frankenheimer (MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE). Shot in French and English, Frankenheimer's "art" film was released in Europe only and it wasn't until 1982 when a cut version retitled STORY OF A LOVE STORY was released on cable in 1982 in the U.S. While the film isn't entirely successful, it's ambitious in its attempt to portray the creative process while also exploring the intricacy of love and infidelity. Bates's writer is overly inventive and what we are seeing is often in his head rather than actually happening and as the film ends there's a suggestion that perhaps the film we just saw might have been his invention. There's a fatalism that hovers over the narrative and sure enough, there's a horrifying ending. It's very European in its approach and if you like European films of the 1960s, there's a good chance you might enjoy this one. The excellent score is by Michel Legrand. With Lea Massari, Michel Auclair, Vernon Dobtcheff and Evans Evans.