Love in the Afternoon Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Audrey Hepburn catfishes Gary Cooper into falling in love with her by pretending to be experienced, but really she’s just a private investigator’s daughter with a wild imagination.

🍿 Love in the Afternoon: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Private Affair

Claude Chavasse, a Parisian private investigator, specializes in exposing adulterous affairs. One of his clients, Monsieur X, discovers his wife is involved with Frank Flannagan, a wealthy and notorious American playboy. Enraged, Monsieur X plans to murder Flannagan.

Ariane’s Intervention

Claude’s daughter, Ariane, overhears Monsieur X’s murderous plan. Smitten with Flannagan after reading about him in her father’s files, she rushes to his hotel to warn him. This act of intervention sparks an unexpected connection between Ariane and Frank.

Playing a Role

To pique Flannagan’s interest and appear as his equal, Ariane pretends to be a sophisticated woman of the world with a long list of lovers. This charade amuses and intrigues Flannagan, leading him to pursue her further. However, Ariane’s innocent nature gradually starts to affect him.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Frank Flannagan (Gary Cooper): A wealthy American playboy who finds himself falling for a younger woman despite his commitment-phobic lifestyle.
• Ariane Chavasse (Audrey Hepburn): A naive but determined young woman who tries to win the heart of a notorious womanizer by pretending to be worldly.
• Claude Chavasse (Maurice Chevalier): Ariane’s father and a private detective who unwittingly becomes involved in his daughter’s pursuit of Frank.
• Monsieur X (John McGiver): A jealous husband who hires Claude to investigate his wife’s affair with Frank, leading to a dangerous situation.
• Madame X (Lise Bourdin): The unfaithful wife whose affair with Frank sets the plot in motion.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Ariane Chavasse: “I have so many lovers.” – Ariane says this to Frank to appear more experienced and to pique his interest.
• Claude Chavasse: “The husband wants his car back.” – Claude explains a case to Ariane, highlighting the absurdity of some marital disputes.
• Frank Flannagan: “I believe we should all act as if we are between planes. No connections. No complications.” – Frank explains his philosophy on relationships, emphasizing his desire for superficial encounters.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $2,100,000
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: $718

💥 Love in the Afternoon Reviews

Personal Review

I really enjoyed this film, although Cooper seemed miscast, Hepburn carried it with her charm. The setting in Paris added a lot to the romance, and the musical score was lovely. I really liked the quirky humor, and the ending at the train station was great. I think it will have broad appeal. It made me feel warm and fuzzy inside, the kind of classic movie that sticks with you. I would watch this again anytime!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic romantic comedies”
  • “Admirers of Audrey Hepburn and Billy Wilder”
  • “Viewers interested in films set in Paris”
  • “Those who appreciate witty dialogue and lighthearted stories”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Suggestive themes”
  • “Brief depictions of infidelity”
  • “Some dated attitudes towards relationships”

Professional Reviews

• CBR: “The film called One of Hitchcock’s Best Films (But He Never Made It). A delightful and intriguing cinematic experience that captures the essence of romantic suspense while offering a fresh take on familiar themes.
• ScreenRant: “One of the 10 Best Romance Movies Of The 1950s. This film is a delightful blend of charm, wit, and heartfelt emotion. The performances are stellar, and the story is both engaging and timeless.
• IMDB: “A sparkling, but a bit overlong boulevard comedy shows Wilder and Hepburn in top form. The dialogue is full of their trademark sparkling banter, and it leaves it to Wilder to use a Gypsy string quartet to act as a chorus for Flannagan’s shenanigans.

Audience Reactions

Audrey Hepburn’s radiance and charm elevate the film, making it a delightful experience despite its flaws.: Viewers admire the movie’s wit, the Parisian setting, and the enchanting musical score that beautifully underscores the romance.

Overall Consensus: While some find Gary Cooper miscast, most agree that Audrey Hepburn’s charm and the witty script make “Love in the Afternoon” a delightful romantic comedy, despite its flaws.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Billy Wilder originally wanted Cary Grant for the role of Frank Flannagan, but Grant turned it down. Yul Brynner was also considered.”
• “Audrey Hepburn was Billy Wilder’s first and only choice for the role of Ariane Chavasse. He waited for her to become available while she was filming ‘War and Peace’.”
• “Gary Cooper was very self-conscious about his age during filming and felt that he was miscast. Some critics and audiences agreed, feeling the age difference between him and Audrey Hepburn was too significant.”
• “The film’s music, particularly the song “Fascination,” became very popular after the film’s release, contributing to the movie’s romantic atmosphere.”

🖥️ How to Watch Love in the Afternoon?

Currently, ‘Love in the Afternoon’ is available for purchase or rental on platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. Check these streaming services for current availability as it may change.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Love in the Afternoon, you might like these similar films:

• Sabrina (1954): Also starring Audrey Hepburn and directed by Billy Wilder, it features a similar romantic plot with a love triangle and social class differences.
• Funny Face (1957): Features Audrey Hepburn in Paris, with a romantic storyline and emphasis on fashion and culture, appealing to fans of Hepburn’s charm and Parisian settings.
• Roman Holiday (1953): Another Audrey Hepburn classic about finding love in Europe, blending romance and comedy with a focus on exploring new cultures.
• Lost in Translation (2003): Explores themes of loneliness and unexpected connection in a foreign land, resonating with the emotional core of ‘Love in the Afternoon’.

🛒 Love in the Afternoon Related Products

• Audrey Hepburn: A Photographic Celebration: A beautiful hardcover book celebrating the life and style of Audrey Hepburn, featuring rare photographs and insights into her iconic film roles. A perfect collector’s item.
• Paris in the Cinema: A stunning DVD collection of classic films set in Paris, including “Love in the Afternoon,” allowing viewers to relive the magic of Parisian cinema at home.
• Gypsy Jazz Guitar: Explore the sounds of the Gypsy Jazz as used in the film soundtrack. The melodic influences of the genre, with chords that you can apply to jazz compositions.
• Love in the Afternoon Movie Poster: A high-quality reproduction of the original movie poster, capturing the charm and sophistication of the film. Perfect for decorating a home theater or adding to a movie memorabilia collection.

🎧 Soundtrack

Love in the Afternoon features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Fascination” – performed by Fermo Dante Marchetti

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Audrey Hepburn (“Sabrina”, Love in The Afternoon”) pays tribute to Director Billy Wilder in 1986

Ever wondered what it was like to work with Billy Wilder? Audrey Hepburn shares her experiences and admiration in this heartfelt tribute! It’s super insightful to hear her perspective – totally makes you appreciate ‘Love in the Afternoon’ even more.

✨ Rate