Overview

Get Out Your Handkerchiefs (French: Préparez vos mouchoirs) is a 1978 French–Belgian film directed by Bertrand Blier. Blier, known for a provocative and satirical approach to relationships and social mores, frames this work as a romantic comedy with strong elements of dark humor and social critique. The movie was released internationally and later distributed in the United States by New Line Cinema.

Plot and themes

The narrative explores love, desire, and emotional imbalance through an unconventional romantic premise. It uses comic situations and ironic dialogue to examine jealousy, loneliness and the sometimes absurd lengths people will go to in order to heal or possess one another. The tone shifts between farce and melancholy, a blend typical of Blier's scripts, that invites audiences to both laugh and reflect on intimate human behavior.

Cast and production

The principal cast includes notable French actors of the era: Gérard Depardieu, Patrick Dewaere and Carole Laure, supported by performers such as Michel Serrault and Sylvie Joly. The film was produced as a French–Belgian collaboration and features locations, music and cinematography that underscore the director's playful but incisive view of contemporary life.

Reception and awards

Critics responded to the film's mix of humor and pathos with both praise and debate; some applauded its originality and performances, while others were divided over its moral ambiguity and provocative moments. Internationally, the film received significant recognition when it won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 1979, bringing wider attention to Blier's work.

Legacy and notable facts

  • Regarded as a memorable example of 1970s French cinema that pushed comedic boundaries.
  • Helped raise the international profiles of its principal actors and of Bertrand Blier as an auteur.
  • Often discussed in studies of gender, sexuality and satire in European film.

For further information about the film's original French title and background, see the director's page and production notes linked here: director, cast and crew. Additional resources on distribution and awards are available via the distributor reference: New Line Cinema.