Moreau had made about 20 or so films before the then-25-year-old Malle cast her in his film debut, but hadn’t really made a name for herself in film yet. Their collaboration proved mutually beneficial: it marked the arrival of a director to watch in Malle, who would go onto make some truly stunning films throughout the remainder of his life and career, and it was the film that finally made Moreau a star in France and abroad.
Of Davis’ score, jazz critic Phil Johnson said, “the loneliest trumpet sound you will ever hear, and the model for sad-core music ever since. Hear it and weep.”
