French men always know how to woo the ladies. They have the charm, the confidence and yes, that certain je ne sais quoi. French actor Yves Montand certainly had a way with the ladies. Not only did he marry Simone Signoret, he also had a fling with Marilyn Monroe.

In this classic French film, he obviously gets the girl, but he gets a little more besides.

Being a successful businessman doesn't always guarantee the ladies, but it doesn't do any harm. That's the belief of scrap merchant César (Montand) at least. Rosalie (Romy Schneider) isn't going out with him for his money however, she just genuinely loves him.

César does realise that he's a very lucky man, but going out with Rosalie comes with its fair share of ups and downs. The downs are the previous men in her life. Thankfully one of the biggest loves of her life, David (Sami Frey) is out of the picture. That is, until one day he just turns up out of the blue from his travels.

Despite being a gregarious character, César struggles with the concept of jealousy. Knowing what David meant to Rosalie in the past is enough to drive him a little loco. It doesn't help matters when Rosalie just disappears without a word, sending César into a rage. All he can imagine is Rosalie being in David's arms. And as it turns out, he's not wrong.

César is prepared to fight for Rosalie, but he soon learns that fighting just isn't enough, if he wants to keep the woman he loves.

I seem to have missed my turning for Croydon. I blame my new sat-nav.

Director Claude Sautet's film is an intimate portrayal of a complicated ménage á trois. Made in 1972 – and being released to celebrate its 40th anniversary – the film celebrates its leading female character's freedom of choice; Rosalie isn't a woman whose love for a man can be turned on and off like a tap. Her emotions for the men that she has loved and loves is constant, and boy do the men in her life know it.

Montand provides the fire to Schneider's ice; he wears his heart on his sleeve, and has almost puppy love for his younger girlfriend. Schneider manages to balance the role perfectly; she could easily come across as an aggressive character, who simply wants what she wants at any emotional cost. Instead, there's a subtlety to her performance, where she manages to convey a real feeling of love for the men in her life.

Frey is perfect as the third wheel; David's good looks are obviously enough to set off the alarm bells of any man, particularly an older model like César. It's his development from a man intent on stealing another man's prize, to a man who learns to understand the peculiar predicament he finds himself in, acts as the perfect catalyst for all three characters.

Philippe Sarde's soundtrack, although for the most part provides a jarring electro backdrop that really shouldn't work, manages to work remarkably well.

Sautet captured fine performances from his three leads, most notably from Montand, who gives César a beautiful mix of masculine bravado and remarkable vulnerability.

Just like it managed to do forty years ago, César et Rosalie still manages to convey the entire gamut of emotions that come from being in love.