despite the title, in reality, the film narrates the story of women's lives in this period of the late 1960s. at this time, irrespective of social class and culture, women were obligated to live a submissive life and sacrifice much to raise their families. in reality, in this film it is the woman who is the head of the family. leslie caron has often referred to this film in interviews as one of her favourites in all her work.