Rene Kermadec, a middle aged blind author, is seen talking to his mother when we meet him. She is concerned because the impending thought of dying, will leave him alone in the world. Well, she shouldn't have worried so much because Rene is a resourceful man who finds a kind soul in Sibille, a younger woman who agrees with him to accompany throughout the literary world that demands his lectures.
Someone has submitted a commentary that the main character was based on one of Argentina's best known writers, Jorge Luis Borges, who was himself blind and depended on a woman who became his wife, thus inheriting the ownership of his royalties and the right to see his lifetime work perpetuated. The reflection does make sense since director Fabio Carpi dedicates the film to Hector Alterio, an Argentine actor who might have known Mr. Borges and helped to shape the director's vision of the fictional Rene.
The film is sort of a travelogue where the audience is taken to different cities in the world with the excuse that Rene has to give lectures in them. A good part of the story is set in Spain where Sibille falls in love with a bullfighter. Rene has no sexual desires, as it is presented in the film and makes it plain he is not into, but at the same time there is a certain hint about Rene also interest in the young matador, Manuel Fernandez.
Claude Rich plays Rene as in a fog. We never get a clear picture of the man as interpreted by the moody Mr. Rich. Gregoire Colin is seen as the young bullfighter. Valeria Cavalli is the muse who seems to inspire Rene and Manuel.
Someone has submitted a commentary that the main character was based on one of Argentina's best known writers, Jorge Luis Borges, who was himself blind and depended on a woman who became his wife, thus inheriting the ownership of his royalties and the right to see his lifetime work perpetuated. The reflection does make sense since director Fabio Carpi dedicates the film to Hector Alterio, an Argentine actor who might have known Mr. Borges and helped to shape the director's vision of the fictional Rene.
The film is sort of a travelogue where the audience is taken to different cities in the world with the excuse that Rene has to give lectures in them. A good part of the story is set in Spain where Sibille falls in love with a bullfighter. Rene has no sexual desires, as it is presented in the film and makes it plain he is not into, but at the same time there is a certain hint about Rene also interest in the young matador, Manuel Fernandez.
Claude Rich plays Rene as in a fog. We never get a clear picture of the man as interpreted by the moody Mr. Rich. Gregoire Colin is seen as the young bullfighter. Valeria Cavalli is the muse who seems to inspire Rene and Manuel.
