An Almost Perfect Affair

An Almost Perfect Affair

Year: 1979

Runtime: 91 mins

Language: English

ComedyDramaRomance

An idealistic debut director, driven solely by his art, encounters the wife of an Italian producer during the Cannes Film Festival. Their intense affair ignites, but as they chase fame and fortune, the couple’s romance is strained by jealousy, ambition and the seductive lure of success.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – An Almost Perfect Affair (1979)

Explore the full timeline and setting of An Almost Perfect Affair (1979). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Cannes, Nice, Paris

The story unfolds along the French Riviera, centering on Cannes and Nice during the Cannes Film Festival. The area is renowned for glamorous festival season, luxury hotels, beaches, and celebrity sightings. Key scenes take place around the Carlton Hotel, the Palm Beach casino, and a Barone family yacht, highlighting the opulent festival atmosphere.

🏖️ French Riviera 🏛️ Film festival hubs 🚢 Coastal towns

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:33

Main Characters – An Almost Perfect Affair (1979)

Meet the key characters of An Almost Perfect Affair (1979), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Hal Raymond (Keith Carradine)

A young, idealistic filmmaker fresh from film school, Hal is driven to make his mark with a controversial project. He is passionate about his art but often naïve about industry gatekeepers, and his romance with Maria reveals a vulnerability beneath his ambition.

🎬 Director 🧭 Determination 💡 Ambition

Maria Barone (Monica Vitti)

A glamorous former actress and Freddie's wife, Maria exudes charm and social savvy. She uses her influence to push Hal's project forward while seeking genuine connection, navigating the festival's politics with wit and restraint.

💃 Socialite 🎭 Actress 💎 Glamour

Freddie Barone (Raf Vallone)

A powerful Italian film producer with a taste for prestige, Freddie wields significant influence over festival publicity and negotiations. He is sophisticated and protective of his wife, complicating Hal's ambitions and Maria's desires.

💼 Producer 🎩 High Society 💫 Power

Lt. Montand (Henri Garcin)

A stern customs officer who delays Hal's film by enforcing bureaucratic rules until clearance is granted. He represents institutional gatekeeping, testing Hal's patience and resolve.

🛂 Bureaucracy 🗝️ Gatekeeping 🧭 Decision

Andrew Jackson (Self)

A sardonic director-producer in town to publicize his own blaxploitation film. He serves as a foil to Hal's earnestness, highlighting the pressures of festival publicity and personal ambition.

🎭 Industry Insider 💬 Publicity 🧨 Provocation

Monte Hellman (Monte Hellman)

A cameo by the director playing himself at the Cannes Film Festival, adding meta-commentary on the filmmaking world and the festival circuit.

🎬 Director 🗺️ Meta ⭐ Fame

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:33

Major Themes – An Almost Perfect Affair (1979)

Explore the central themes of An Almost Perfect Affair (1979), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

❤️ Love vs Career

Hal's devotion to Maria pits personal longing against the pressures of his fledgling film project. Maria negotiates the festival's social web, showing how relationships can be leveraged for influence. The arc explores how romance can conflict with professional ambition in a world ruled by publicity.

🎬 Censorship

The reels are held up by officials until the censor approves, illustrating gatekeeping over artistic work. Publicists and producers manipulate promotion and titles to maximize appeal, blurring the line between art and marketing. The censor's screening becomes a crucial test for Hal's integrity and vision.

🛥️ Glamour

The Cannes milieu is saturated with luxury, yachts, and high-society parties, painting a picture of celebrity culture at its brightest. Characters maneuver through wealth and influence, where reputation can trump talent. The setting underscores both the allure and costs of living in the festival spotlight.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:33

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An Almost Perfect Affair Summary

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An Almost Perfect Affair Summary

An Almost Perfect Affair Timeline

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An Almost Perfect Affair Timeline

More About An Almost Perfect Affair

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More About An Almost Perfect Affair

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