You are here:
Malady of Love

Malady of Love

1987

Director

Jacques Deray

Runtime

122 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

Synopsis

Two physicians, one old and one young, fall in love with the same woman, Juliette, a quixotic hairdresser. First, she is with Raoul, the older one; then passion for Clément, the younger doctor, takes over. Raoul fights back, playing on Clément's guilt and Juliette's lack of self-assurance; then, Clément makes his case to Juliette, abandons his fiancée, and takes her to the provinces where he sets up practice and asks her to have a baby. She panics and abruptly leaves Clément, taking up with Raoul again. When she contracts Hodgkin's disease and the treatment does no good, Raoul believes she has the malady of love. Is there a cure?

Where to Watch

Diversity & Representation

Overall Score

2.8/10

Limited


Category Breakdown

LGBTQ+ Representation

Minimal

The film focuses on a traditional heterosexual romantic triangle. There is no evidence of non-cisnormative identities or critiques of heteronormativity.

Gender Representation

Fair

The narrative relies on traditional gendered tropes. Juliette is portrayed through emotional instability and passivity, while men engage in a competitive struggle for influence.

Racial & Ethnic Diversity

Limited

The setting suggests a conventional European dramatic context. The narrative appears to lean toward a homogeneous demographic typical of mid-century French romance.

Religious & Cultural Diversity

Limited

The film prioritizes individualistic romantic struggle over systemic critiques. It engages with traditional Western social structures through its medical and provincial settings.

Disability Representation

Limited

Juliette's Hodgkin's disease is framed as a metaphor for love. This risks reducing a physical condition to a mere narrative tool for emotional development.

Strengths

  • Technical proficiency in classical cinematic aesthetics.
  • Focus on deep psychological interplay between central characters.

Areas for Improvement

  • Reliance on traditional gendered tropes and patriarchal dynamics.
  • Use of physical illness as a metaphorical device for emotional states.
  • Lack of intersectional representation or systemic social critique.

AI Analysis

Malady of Love operates within the classical framework of French romantic drama, prioritizing interpersonal volatility over social critique. The story centers on a cyclical pattern of pursuit and abandonment between three central characters. The film adheres to traditional archetypes, particularly regarding gender and medical representation. It functions as a study of romantic fatalism rather than a deconstruction of systemic power or social hierarchies. Ultimately, the work reflects the conventional dramatic standards of its era, focusing on individual passion and psychological interplay within a homogeneous social landscape.

How are these scores produced? →

Rate this Movie

No rating selected
Use arrow keys to select a rating from 1 to 5 stars
Optional text review, maximum 2000 characters
Tip: Wrap spoilers with ||double pipes|| to hide them
0/2000 characters
You must be signed in to submit a rating

Reviews

No reviews yet. Be the first to share your thoughts on this movie!

Use the rating form above to leave a star rating and optional review.