Shadows of Norman Bates

Goodbye Again (Aimez-vous Brahms?, 1961)

A movie made in Paris, as someone described it as typical of a French movie starring the restaurants and automobiles, involving Ingrid Bergman and Anthony Perkins (yes! Mr Norman Bates himself). It is a romantic drama which showcases the dilemma of a love of a cougar and its prey! It exposed Perkins' acting ability to earn him the Best Actor's award in Cannes in 1961. Somehow, you cannot help but visualise him as an eccentric young man here too!
Paula (Bergman) is a 40 year old interior decorator who feels that her biological clock ticking away as her partner of 5 years continue life as a swinging bachelor jumping from bed to bed. Like a good partner, Paula turns a blind eye to his philandering ways as he continues with his 'business' trips and returns to her as he feels like it.
Paula gets an offer to decorate an American lady's apartment in Paris. Her son is a lazy spoilt brad who is in Paris for a short stint to learn French Law.
This eccentric 25 year old lawyer (Philip, Anthony Perkins) gets mesmerised with Paula's elegance and starts wooing her to the extent of stalking. A bored Paula eventually succumbs to his advances.
Meanwhile, Paula's partner, after being 'told off' by Paula, finds his liaison with an up-and-coming self proclaimed prima donna a tiring affair.
After an initial ecstasy, Paula and Philip get to reassess their relationship after frequent ridicule by friends. Philip's 'laissez-faire' attitude to work and life starts being an irritant.
Paula and former partner yearn for each other. Philip is dropped like a hot potato and they marry. Fin.

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