Story :Prof. Henri Laborit uses the stories of the lives of three people to discuss behaviorist theories of survival, combat, rewards and punishment, and anxiety. René is a technical manager at a textile factory and must face the anxiety caused by corporate downsizing. Janine is a self-educated actress/stylist who learns that the wife of her lover is dying and must decide to let them reunite. Jean is a controversial career-climbing writer/politician at a crossroads in life.
Cast
Gérard DepardieuRené Ragueneau
Nicole GarciaJanine Garnier
Roger PierreJean Le Gall
Nelly BorgeaudArlette Le Gall
Pierre ArditiZambeaux, le représentant de la direction générale à Paris
Gérard DarrieuLéon Veestrate
Philippe LaudenbachMichel Aubert
Marie DuboisThérèse Ragueneau
Henri LaboritHenri Laborit
Bernard MalaterreJean's Father
Laurence RoyJean's Mother
Alexandre RignaultJean's Grandfather
Véronique SilverJanine's Mother
Jean LescotJanine's Father
Geneviève MnichRené's Mother
Maurice GauthierRené's Father
Guillaume BoisseauChild Jean
Ina BedartChild Janine
Ludovic SalisChild René
François CalvezTeen René
Stephanie LoustauTeen Janine
Monique MauclairTeacher
Damien BoisseauTeen Jean
Gaston VacchiaHenri, René's uncle
Bertrand LepageMaurice, René's brother
Jean-Philippe PuymartinJean jeune homme
Catherine FrotArlette jeune fille
Valérie DrévilleThérèse jeune fille
Brigitte RoüanJanine's Friend
Max VialleJean-Marie Laugier, the director
Yves PeneauComedian
Jean-Bernard GuillardComedian
Laurence FévrierComedian
Charlotte BonnetM. Louis' Secretary
Jean DastéM. Louis
Anne-Christine JoinneauJean's daughter
Sébastien DraiJean's son
Marjorie GodinFactory Secretary
Liliane GaudetMrs. Arnal
Isabelle GanzJosyane
Maria LaboritJean's third secretary
Albert MédinaBozon-Vandrieux
Laurence BadieMrs. Veestrate
Carène FerreyLa première fille de René
Sabine ThomasLa seconde fille de René
Catherine SerreLa secrétaire de la direction générale