Le souffle au coeur (1971)

Murmur of the Heart DVD

English Title: Murmur of the Heart
Nouvelles Éditions de Films (NEF)
Starring:
 Lea Massari, BenoÎt Ferreux, Daniel Gélin
Directed by: Louis Malle

Cat Out of the Bag Alert!  This review contains some spoilers for this film!

Synopsis: Laurent Chevalier (BenoÎt Ferreux) is an intelligent and mature fourteen year old who is coming of age with the help (or hindrance) of his older brothers, his exasperated father and his doting mother Clara (Lea Massari) who lavishes affection on the boy.

Kitty Cameo: In one of the first scenes Laurent arrives home to find a shorthaired kitten on the doorstep.  The kitten’s name is Joseph and Laurent picks him up and takes him inside, promising to play a new jazz record for him.

Murmur of the Heart - kitten Joseph on doorstep

Once inside Laurent hears his father berating his secretary.  He pauses on the stairs to listen.

Murmur of the Heart - Laurent on stairs with kitten Joseph

Joseph mews and Laurent shushes him.

Murmur of the Heart - Laurent shushes kitten Joseph

Later we see Joseph in Laurent’s room.  Laurent has fetched a copy of an adult book which was hidden in a bookcase.  He greets Joseph when he enters the room, then settles down on the bed, picking up the kitten.

Murmur of the Heart - Laurent laying back on bed with kitten Joseph

Kinky Kitty?  Laurent lays back onto the bed to pleasure himself while reading the book.  Before he begins, he places the kitten between his legs.  ‘Nuff said.

Murmur of the Heart - kitten Joseph between Laurent's legs

Joseph is seen once more in the movie when Laurent is packing up to go to camp.  He is angry with his brothers, and Marc (Marc Winocourt) comes in to try talk to him.  Marc picks up Joseph and Laurent angrily snatches him back, saying, “Leave my cat alone!”

Murmur of the Heart - Laurent takes kitten Joseph from brother Marc

Final Mewsings: A boy’s best friend is his pus . . . er, uh, kitten.


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