Not on the Lips

Not on the Lips

Directed by Alain Resnais

Produced by France 2 Cinéma, Arena Films

2003115 min5.7 / 10

A frothy, romantic operetta-farce set in 1920s Paris where romantic entanglements and mistaken identities drive a lighthearted exploration of desire, marriage, and the question of who gets to kiss whom.

A musical drawing room farce set in Paris circa October, 1925. Middle-aged Gilberte flirts with men but loves her husband Georges, wishing he were more demonstrative. He's negotiating a deal with American Eric Thomson, who turns out to be Gilberte's first husband from an annulled and secret stateside marriage. Along with her sister Arlette, Gilberte begs Eric not to tell Georges about their past. Meanwhile, a young artist, Charly, pursues Gilberte while Arlette tries to match him with the young Huguette, who loves him. Will Eric play along or try to re-win Gilberte's affection? Can Gilberte play one off against another? And who will manage to kiss whom on the lips?

Questions people ask

  • Does Not on the Lips end with hope? Yes, very. More hopeful than 97% of films.

  • Is Not on the Lips easy watching? Yes, very. More comforting than 95% of films.

  • Is Not on the Lips violent? No. Less violent than 92% of films.

  • Is Not on the Lips scary? Barely. Less frightening than 76% of films.

  • Is Not on the Lips sad? Not especially. Less sad than 73% of films.

These describe how the film comes across, measured across the whole film and compared with other well-known films. They are not a content list — nothing here was counted or checked scene by scene, so for age-suitability or specific content use a classification board or a dedicated content-warning service.

11/ 100

Cinnamon Score

How much this film gives you that nothing else will, and whether it delivers.

Conventional, and it does not land.

Rarity8

How unlike any other film this one feels

Surprise12

How much more it delivers than it promises

Love13

How much audiences actually like it

The highest scores in the catalogue →

Ensemble

Like Not on the Lips

Nearest across the full emotional profile.

Same Mood as Not on the Lips

Nearest on what's most distinctive about this one.

Like Not on the Lips, But Darker

Similar, pushed toward heavier and more intense.

Like Not on the Lips, But Lighter

Similar, pushed toward warmer and easier.

Like Not on the Lips, But Less Popular

Same territory, far fewer people have seen it.

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