The 400 Blows (1959) and Jules et Jim (1962) established François Truffaut as an outstanding and original director. The Soft Skin (La peau douce) (1964) was not in the same league. Although it displays many of his story-telling skills, not least a gift for suspense, the film feels dated, the characters are not quite as interesting as in his earlier hits, and the plot – a middle-aged married man has an affair with an air hostess, and his worn marriage falls apart - is a little formulaic.