We'll Grow Thin Together (1979) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

Victor struggles with stalled filmmaking ambitions, dieting, and uncertain romantic attachments.

Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

A Film That Will Not Be Made

Victor pitches a low-budget film about Pétain's final days, but the producer rejects it and proposes an erotic comedy instead. Victor refuses and threatens legal action over the possible use of his Joan of Arc script.

Key Events

• Victor Pitches a Pétain Film — Victor pitches a low-budget film about Pétain's final days. Characters: Victor Lasnier Location: Producer's office
• The Producer Rejects the Proposal — The proposal is rejected as commercially unviable. Characters: Victor Lasnier Location: Producer's office
• An Erotic Comedy Is Suggested — The producer suggests reshaping Victor's idea into an erotic comedy. Characters: Victor Lasnier Location: Producer's office
• Victor Defends His Joan of Arc Idea — Victor threatens legal action if any part of his script is used. Characters: Victor Lasnier Location: Producer's office

The Weight of Self-Discipline

Victor attempts dieting and exercise but finds both difficult and unpleasant. Corinne supports his diet at home, even as Victor struggles to resist food and drink.

Key Events

• Victor Faces Pressure About His Weight — Victor is confronted about his weight and decides to try dieting and exercise. Characters: Victor Lasnier Location: Unspecified
• The Diet Proves Miserable — Victor struggles with strict meals and resisting food and drink. Characters: Victor Lasnier Location: Home
• Victor Struggles With Exercise — Jogging exhausts Victor, and a mishap with quick-setting cement complicates his efforts. Characters: Victor Lasnier Location: Unspecified
• Corinne Supports Victor's Diet — Corinne supports Victor's diet as he struggles to resist food and drink. Characters: Victor Lasnier, Corinne Location: Home

An Unexpected Intimacy

When Victor cannot get a taxi, Patricia offers him a ride, and their conversation becomes flirtatious. At her home, Victor admits that he loves someone else while recognizing that this encounter is new to him.

Key Events

• Patricia Gives Victor a Ride — Unable to get a taxi, Victor accepts a ride from Patricia. Characters: Victor Lasnier, Patricia Location: Unspecified
• Their Conversation Turns Flirtatious — Victor and Patricia flirt during their conversation, and she takes him to her home. Characters: Victor Lasnier, Patricia Location: Patricia's car
• Victor Acknowledges His Conflicted Feelings — Victor says he nearly lives with someone he loves while acknowledging the encounter is new to him. Characters: Victor Lasnier, Patricia Location: Patricia's home

A Meeting and an Uncertain Reunion

Victor learns that his film opportunity has passed and responds by abandoning his diet for an extravagant meal. At a Weight Watchers meeting, Patricia explains her feelings and calls a gentleman to stand, leaving the possible reunion unresolved.

Key Events

• Victor's Film Opportunity Closes — The producer says it is too late; he has already signed with another colleague. Characters: Victor Lasnier Location: Producer's office
• Victor Abandons His Diet — Frustrated and hungry, Victor orders an extravagant meal. Characters: Victor Lasnier Location: Restaurant
• Victor and Patricia Meet Again — Patricia joins a Weight Watchers meeting and encounters Victor again. Characters: Victor Lasnier, Patricia, Gilberte, des Weight Watchers, Marcel, des Weight Watchers Location: Weight Watchers meeting
• Patricia Calls Out a Gentleman — Patricia says she has found the older, stout man she loves and asks a gentleman to stand. Characters: Victor Lasnier, Patricia Location: Weight Watchers meeting

Story Breakdown

• Victor's Film Pitches — Victor tries to get his historical film ideas made, but faces rejection and resistance.
  • Pétain Proposal — Victor pitches a low-budget film about Pétain's final days.
  • Rejected Concept — The producer calls the film commercially unviable and suggests an erotic comedy.
• Script Dispute — Victor protects his writing when the producer considers another of his ideas.
  • Joan Of Arc Idea — The producer considers adapting Victor's Joan of Arc idea.
  • Legal Threat — Victor threatens legal action if any part of his script is used.
• Diet And Exercise — Victor attempts to change his habits but finds the process uncomfortable.
  • Strict Meals — Victor finds the prescribed meals miserable and struggles to resist food and drink.
  • Exercise Mishaps — Jogging exhausts Victor, and a quick-setting cement mishap interrupts his efforts.
• Corinne's Support — Corinne supports Victor at home while his romantic uncertainty remains unresolved.
  • Home Encouragement — Corinne supports Victor's diet at home.
  • Relationship Doubt — Victor says accusations from his partner have left him unsure of what he wants.
• Patricia's Invitation — A ride with Patricia develops into a flirtation and an intimate encounter.
  • Ride Offered — After Victor cannot get a taxi, Patricia offers him a ride.
  • Conflicted Admission — Victor tells Patricia he loves someone else while acknowledging the encounter is new to him.
• Professional Setback — Victor's filmmaking prospects deteriorate, contributing to his frustration.
  • Opportunity Lost — The producer says it is too late to make Victor's film because he has signed with another colleague.
  • Diet Abandoned — Frustrated and hungry, Victor orders an extravagant restaurant meal.
• Weight Watchers Reunion — Victor and Patricia meet again at a Weight Watchers gathering, where Patricia describes her feelings.
  • Patricia Searches — Patricia says she has been looking for Victor and has fallen in love with an older, stout man.
  • Unfinished Recognition — Patricia calls a gentleman to stand, setting up a possible reunion as the scene ends.

Key Cast

• Peter Ustinov — Victor Lasnier
• Bernadette Lafont — Corinne
• Catherine Alric — Patricia
• Sylvie Joly — Docteur Menkevitch
• Jacques Jouanneau — Orlandi