Impossible Object

Impossible Object, also known as Story of a Love Story, is a 1973 romantic drama film starring Alan Bates and Dominique Sanda. It was directed by John Frankenheimer with a screenplay by Nicholas Mosley based on his own novel. It was screened at the 1973 Cannes Film Festival, but was not entered into the main competition. Mosley wrote the screenplay at the behest of director Joseph Losey, whose film Accident was based on an earlier Mosley novel. Dirk Bogarde and Catherine Deneuve had been attached to the film. However, Losey had difficulty financing the film and later fell out with Mosley over The Assassination of Trotsky. Frankenheimer, looking to make an independent film, took over the project.

Cast

Credits adapted from the Powerhouse Films Blu-ray booklet.

Alan Bates as Harry
Dominique Sanda as Natalie
Michel Auclair as Georges
Evans Evans as Elizabeth
Paul Crauchet as the Plumber
Lea Massari as Hippolyta
Sean Bury as Adam
Henri Czarniak as Private Investigator
Vernon Dobtcheff as Private Investigator
Mark Dightam as James
Isabelle Giraud-Carrier as Danielle
Michael McVey as Richard
Laurence de Monaghan as Cleo
André Rouille as Gendarme

Production

Principal photography for this movie was delayed until Dominique Sanda gave birth to her son. John Frankenheimer shot footage of a pregnant and naked Sanda, which was used in the movie when her character Nathalie, Harry's mistress, is pregnant with his child.

Reception

The film was a financial failure. Frankenheimer later said it was never properly released because the producers went bankrupt. However, the film saw some success at the 1974 Atlanta Film Festival, where it won the Grand Award Gold Phoenix for best film. Mosley also won for best screenplay and composer Michel Legrand for his film score. Frankenheimer said he entered the film with a stolen print.