Not on the Lips

Eric is an American businessman whose calm exterior hides a shrewd awareness of the power of a returned lover. He reappears in Paris to test whether Gilberte’s claim of fidelity can withstand his own renewed claim. He enjoys the tension of the lie and uses it to regain footing in the relationship while observing the social dynamics around him.

Huguette is Gilberte's young friend drawn into the circle's flirtations. She becomes entangled with Charley, navigating desire and social expectations with curiosity. Her involvement accelerates the romantic complications and tests loyalties within the group.

Arlette is Gilberte's spinster sister who quietly holds the secret of the past. She ultimately reveals that she could be Eric's first wife, catalyzing a reconciliation and revealing how truth and deception balance within the family. Her pragmatic nature helps steer the group toward a resolution.

Georges is a wealthy Parisian businessman who embodies traditional bourgeois values. He believes in the indissolubility of a union based on a first intimate experience and seeks to protect his marriage’s stability through social control. He orchestrates events to pull Eric back into the fold while maintaining appearances.

Gilberte is a socialite wife who cultivates a circle of flirtations to secure her status. She hides a previous marriage and uses others as cover, attempting to deter Eric by presenting Charley as a lover. Her public poise clashes with private anxiety, driving the narrative’s tension.

Charley is a young, avant-garde artist whose charm and ambition pull him into the center of the social web. He is both an object of Gilberte’s affection and a catalyst for the group’s scheming, including the flirtation with Huguette. His presence foregrounds the collision between art, desire, and deceit.

Faradel is a middle-aged dilettante who moves easily through the social circle. He lends his bachelor flat to facilitate the various encounters, acting as a practical enabler of the plot’s entanglements. His perspective adds a wry humor to the unfolding drama.

Madame Foin is the concierge who witnesses the comic chaos from the margins. Her polite bemusement provides a grounded counterpoint to the salon intrigue. She represents the everyday perspective within the otherwise exclusive world of Parisian high society.