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Muriel, or the Time of Return

1963·Movie
1h 57min
76
GreatGoodWatch score

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Muriel, or the Time of Return fingerprint

Strong craft, no humor.

Energy

Calm and low-key

Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.

  • Tension6
  • Fast Pace3
  • Adrenaline2

Heart

Profoundly sad and moving

  • Melancholy9
  • Pathos8
  • Catharsis7

Humor

A little humor

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Wit & Wordplay3
  • Cringe Humor2
  • Absurdist Humor2

World

The mind and society

  • Dialogue Centrality8
  • Ambiguity8
  • World Immersion7

Craft

Standout characters and performances

Layered plot that rewards full attention.

  • Character Depth9
  • Acting8
  • Complexity8

Style

Functional look and sound

  • Cinematography7
  • Editing6
  • Music Composition6

Who it's for

AdultsFriends NightPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchDrop-in FriendlyThought-Provoking

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Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

In the seacoast town of Boulogne, antique furniture saleswoman Hélène lives with her stepson, Bernard, who's back from military duty in Algiers. An old lover of Hélène's comes to visit, Alphonse, with his niece Françoise; he too is back from Algiers, where he ran a café. Bernard speaks of his fiancée, Muriel, whom Hélène has not met. The past is obscured by guilt, misperceptions, and missed possibilities. Appearances deceive, things change. As Hélène and Alphonse try to sort out a renewal, everyone seems off-kilter just enough to hint that all cannot end well.
French New WavePost-War TraumaPsychological DramaCharacter StudyAmbiguous NarrativeMelancholic AtmosphereSocial CommentaryExistential Themes

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about Muriel, or the Time of Return

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Muriel, or the Time of Return legally?

You can rent or buy it from Apple TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Google Play Movies. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is Muriel, or the Time of Return worth watching?

76
GreatGoodWatch score

Mostly. It's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 76/100 (IMDb 7 and Rotten Tomatoes 80%). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

How long is Muriel, or the Time of Return?

1 h 57 min

Muriel, or the Time of Return runs 1 h 57 min.

Do critics and audiences agree on Muriel, or the Time of Return?

Critics80
Audiences75

Yes. Critics average 80 and audiences 75 out of 100, so both groups see Muriel, or the Time of Return much the same way.

What language is Muriel, or the Time of Return in?

French

It was made in French. Produced in Italy, France.

In how many countries can I watch Muriel, or the Time of Return?

130ADAEAGALAOARATAUBABBBEBFBGBH+116

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for Muriel, or the Time of Return in 130 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.