French film where narrator commits suicide?

April 5, 2008 9:32 PM

Does anyone know the name of a French film where the main character commits suicide at the end by jumping off a building?

I don't remember much from this film except for the fact that the narrator is the one who commits suicide; it might've even been a TV movie. I think it was shot between 2000 and 2004. I don't remember much else from it but would really like to be able to see it again.

posted by fantasticninety to media & arts (16 comments total)

power search at the internet movie database; try entering:
country of origin = france
language = french
year = 2000-2004
keyword = suicide
exclude TV series
(or other combinations varying these parameters.) The combination I just listed yields around 50 titles, which you can just scan through to see if any are familiar.
posted by LobsterMitten at 9:39 PM on April 5

La Vie rêvée des anges, perhaps?
posted by bibliowench at 9:55 PM on April 5

Or maybe not - the film has two main female leads, but I don't remember if one narrates or not. During one scene, one of them casually throws herself out the window.

Your description also reminds me of a scene from Wim Winders' Wings of Desire, although the jumping character is only a minor part of the plot. He does have something like narration, though, in the form of an internal monologue.

Given the reputed bleakness of much (but not all) European cinema, I wouldn't be surprised if several films fit your criteria in some way or another.
posted by bibliowench at 10:07 PM on April 5

This might not be the answer you're looking for, but when I read your question I immediately thought of Wilbur Wants To Kill Himself. It might be interesting for you even if it's not the right answer. I really enjoyed it when I saw it a few years ago.
posted by atmosphere at 10:17 PM on April 5

I think it is "the dream life of angels" (bibliowench's suggestion)....1998 or maybe "sitcom" also in 1998 by francois ozon...
posted by madmamasmith at 10:43 PM on April 5

It's much older, but I was immediately reminded of Roman Polanski at the end of Le Locataire (aka "The Tenant").
posted by web-goddess at 11:18 PM on April 5

Could it be The Hairdresser's Husband? Slightly earlier than your date range (1990). Spoilers in the wikipedia link. Imdb page with original title.
posted by jonathanbell at 11:46 PM on April 5

could it be "la haine" ?
posted by motdiem2 at 12:07 AM on April 6

Le Huitième Jour?
posted by kepano at 12:44 AM on April 6

The Dreamlife of Angels. I just watched it tonight, coincidentally.
posted by HotPatatta at 12:53 AM on April 6

Unfortunately, it is none of these films (although many of them look quite interesting!). It dealt with a man who was a businessman of some sort and near the end there's a lavish meal on the rooftop and afterwards he walks to the other side, the camera pans up (probably a crane or helicopter) and as he's narrating he jumps off the other side to his death.

It's a somewhat surreal film with a lot of dark comedy if I remember correctly; bright colours as well. That's all I can remember.
posted by fantasticninety at 8:21 AM on April 6

Monsieur Hire perhaps?
posted by cazoo at 2:17 PM on April 6

Somewhat surreal film with a man committing suicide off an office roof… this triggered vague memories for me. In the movie I’m thinking of the business man is working for someone else who asks him to do tasks that result in all kinds of shenanigans. At one stage he ends up at a house in the forest where someone is in a furrie costume and they’re doing drugs, and the bit where he steps off the roof is in defiance of the person he’s working for, or to prove something?
Sorry - No title, but hopefully some additional info?
posted by Rubyspicer at 12:41 AM on April 9

Rubyspicer – your thoughts ring bells for me; especially the part about being in the forest and working for someone else.

Come on metafilter! I know someone must know this film/tv movie!
posted by fantasticninety at 1:43 PM on April 9

It's been driving me crazy! I even rang my free-to-air 'world movie' channel to ask about films from years ago. As you can probably imagine, they were not as interested as I am. I will find the answer....I NEED to know....stay tuned.
posted by Rubyspicer at 6:48 AM on April 10

Will do!
posted by fantasticninety at 3:05 PM on April 11