The Man Who Loved Women

The Man Who Loved Women

Year: 1977

Runtime: 119 mins

Language: French

ComedyRomanceDrama

At Bertrand Morane’s funeral, a crowd of women whose affection he once enjoyed gathers, underscoring the many romances of his life. Through a series of flashbacks, the 40‑year‑old engineer narrates his own love affairs while drafting an autobiographical novel, offering a reflective portrait of his passions and choices.

The Man Who Loved Women (1977) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at The Man Who Loved Women (1977) 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 quiet cemetery outside Montpellier, the funeral of Bertrand Morane gathers an unlikely congregation: a sea of women whose lives have intersected with his in fleeting, passionate ways. The atmosphere is equal parts reverent and wry, underscoring a man whose personal history reads like a catalogue of affairs, each one leaving a distinct imprint on the collective memory of those who loved him.

A pragmatic engineer by day, Bertrand spends his hours testing aerodynamic models while his evenings are devoted to the pursuit of romance. The contrast between his meticulous laboratory work and his restless yearning for connection creates a compelling duality that drives the film’s tone—simultaneously humorous, melancholy, and deeply observant. As the years accumulate, he feels the pull to preserve these fragments of his past before they dissolve into obscurity.

It is this impulse that leads him to begin an autobiographical novel, a candid chronicle of love, desire, and the inevitable compromises that accompany a life lived in abundance. While drafting his manuscript, he encounters Geneviève, an editor whose keen interest in his unvarnished storytelling offers both professional encouragement and a subtle, growing intimacy. Their exchanges become a quiet counterpoint to his reminiscences, hinting at the possibility that the very act of writing might reshape the way he perceives his own history.

The film swirls between present reflections and nostalgic flashbacks, painting a portrait of a man who searches for happiness not in a single partnership but in the sheer quantity of experiences. Its mood balances light‑hearted irony with genuine emotional depth, inviting the audience to contemplate the fleeting nature of love, the allure of memory, and the strange comfort found in recounting a life lived on its own, unsteady terms.

Last Updated: December 04, 2025 at 18:06

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Movies that use memoir and reflection like The Man Who Loved Women

Characters looking back on their lives, finding meaning and melancholy in memory.If you liked the reflective, autobiographical structure of The Man Who Loved Women, explore these other movies where characters look back on their lives. These films often share a bittersweet tone, moderate pacing, and a focus on memory and self-discovery, creating a similar thoughtful and introspective experience.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative is framed by a character actively recounting their life story, often while writing a book or reminiscing. This creates a dual timeline between the present act of reflection and the past events being described. The journey is less about external plot and more about internal understanding, as the character pieces together the themes and choices that defined them.

Why These Movies?

These movies are grouped by their shared narrative structure and introspective mood. They prioritize character depth over fast-paced action, using the act of remembering to explore complex emotions, life patterns, and the poignant gap between who we were and who we think we are.

Movies about romantic obsession like The Man Who Loved Women

Stories of characters driven by an insatiable, often self-destructive, need for romance.Fans of The Man Who Loved Women will appreciate these other films exploring characters with a compulsive need for romantic conquests. These movies delve into the complexities of serial womanizing or romantic obsession, often blending drama and irony while examining the search for happiness and its bittersweet consequences.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative follows a character, often a charming but flawed protagonist, as they cycle through a series of romantic entanglements. The plot is episodic, driven by each new conquest, but an underlying current of melancholy or emptiness grows as the pattern repeats. The story examines whether this compulsion is a path to fulfillment or a symptom of a deeper dissatisfaction, typically leading to a poignant or ironic conclusion.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by their focus on a specific character archetype and thematic exploration. They share a mix of romantic charm and psychological depth, a steady pace that allows for character study, and a tone that balances the thrill of the chase with the weight of its consequences.

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The Man Who Loved Women Summary

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The Man Who Loved Women Summary

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The Man Who Loved Women Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Man Who Loved Women

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Characters, Settings & Themes in The Man Who Loved Women

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