Bonsoir

Bonsoir

Year: 1994

Runtime: 85 mins

Language: French

Director: Jean-Pierre Mocky

Comedy

After his wife dies and he loses his tweed‑tailor job, Alex Pontin poses as relatives or officials to get free lodging. He dines with the hostile Dumont couple, spends an evening with Marie, a mother of seven, then stays with shy lesbian Caroline and her partner Gloria, helping protect Caroline’s inheritance from a scheming sister. The bumbling police never catch him.

Bonsoir (1994) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at Bonsoir (1994) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

In a modest French town bruised by loss and routine, Alex Pontin finds his world upended when his beloved wife passes away and his once‑steady job as a tweed tailor disappears. Rather than succumb to quiet resignation, he invents a singular way to stay afloat: he slips into strangers’ homes by masquerading as a relative or an official, coaxing hosts into offering him a night’s shelter. This habit of temporary refuge becomes both his survival tactic and a mischievous lens through which he surveys a society caught in polite pretenses.

His wandering brings him face‑to‑face with a series of distinct households, each reflecting a different shade of post‑war French life. A tense lunch with the hostile Dumont couple sets a tone of wary hospitality, while an evening spent in the modest living room of Marie, a mother of seven, reveals the gentle strain of caring for many on limited means. The journey then leads to the warmly unconventional home of Caroline and her vivacious partner Gloria, whose quiet confidence and affectionate banter provide a playful counterpoint to the more formal settings Alex has known.

Amid these encounters, Alex is drawn into a modest yet meaningful effort to safeguard Caroline’s inheritance from a scheming sister, adding a layer of personal solidarity to his otherwise itinerant existence. Throughout, the local police, epitomized by the well‑meaning but hapless Inspecteur Bruneau, prove inept at pinning down his movements, underscoring the film’s light‑hearted critique of authority and bureaucratic bluster.

Mocky’s direction blends sharp satire with a breezy, almost improvisational comedy, turning each domestic tableau into a mirror that reflects both the absurdities and the tender intimacies of everyday life. Bonsoir invites viewers to watch an impish outsider navigate a world of strained conventions, suggesting that genuine humanity often resides just beyond the tidy borders of respectability.

Last Updated: November 25, 2025 at 15:22

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Unlock the Full Story of Bonsoir

Don't stop at just watching — explore Bonsoir in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Bonsoir is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Bonsoir Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Bonsoir, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Bonsoir Summary

Bonsoir Timeline

Track the full timeline of Bonsoir with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Bonsoir Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Bonsoir

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Bonsoir. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Bonsoir

More About Bonsoir

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Bonsoir: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Bonsoir

Similar Movies to Bonsoir

Discover movies like Bonsoir that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.