Private Fears in Public Places Synopsis & Summary

A handful of characters struggle to hold on to relationships with the people they care for in this collaboration between playwright Alan Ayckbourn and filmmaker Alain Resnais. Dan (Lambert Wilson) has recently finished up a hitch in the Army, but rather than deal with his emotional issues, Dan prefers to get drunk. While he barely communicates with his girlfriend Nicole (Laura Morante), she's convinced they will still marry and opts to ignore his obvious problems. Lionel (Pierre Arditi) is a bartender who has become increasingly isolated and cut off from his friends as he looks after his father Arthur. Arthur, however, is in failing health and has little appreciation of his son's sacrifices. Thierry (Andre Dussollier) is a real estate salesman who has fallen for one of his co-workers, Charlotte (Sabine Azema); however, Charlotte's mild-mannered exterior hides a personality that thrives on emotional gamesmanship. And Gaelle (Isabelle Carre), Thierry's sister, is lonely and looking for a relationship, but her efforts bring her neither joy nor companionship. Coeurs (aka Petites Peurs Partagees) received its world premiere at the 2006 Venice Film Festival. - Mark Deming, All Movie Guide