Bobby Deerfield (Al Pacino) is a successful American Formula One racing driver competing on the European Grand Prix circuit. He is narcissistic, cold, emotionally detached, and obsessed with control – traits that help him survive on the track but isolate him in life.
After a teammate is killed in a fiery, mysterious crash, Bobby refuses to race again until he understands what caused the crash and visits a clinic in the Swiss Alps to interview a surviving driver named Bertrand Modave (Steve Gadler) about the accident.
While there, he meets Lillian Morelli (Marthe Keller), an eccentric, free-spirited, and deeply inquisitive Swiss aristocrat. Unbeknownst to Bobby at first, Lillian is also terminally ill.
Fascinated by Bobby’s fame and amused by his rigid, humourless personality, she attaches herself to him and forces her way into his travels.
Her erratic behaviour and urgency for life clash with Bobby’s tightly controlled world.
As they travel across Europe together on a spontaneous road trip, Lillian forces Bobby to confront his own emotional numbness and fear of death, sparking a tragic and transformative love affair
As Lillian’s health rapidly deteriorates, Bobby cares for her, providing comfort as her vibrant spirit fades. When she passes away, Bobby is left grief-stricken but profoundly changed.
Pacino and Keller actually began a real-life romantic relationship during filming.
Bobby Deerfield
Al Pacino Lillian Morelli
Marthe Keller Lydia
Anny Duperey The Brother
Walter McGinn Uncle Luigi
Romolo Valli Karl Holtzmann
Stephan Meldegg Delvecchio
Jaime Sánchez The Magician
Norm Nielsen Priest in the Garden
Guido Alberti Catherine Modave
Monique Lejeune Bertrand Modave
Steve Gadler The Flutist
Van Doude Carlos Del Montanaro
Gérard Hernandez Priest
Maurice Vallier Vincenzo
Antonino Faà di Bruno Autograph Hound
André Valardy Tommy
Féodor Atkine Mario
Patrick Floersheim Head Mechanic
Bernie Pollack Mechanic
Al Silvani Nurse
Isabelle De Blonay Reporter
Dominique Briand
Director
Sydney Pollack
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After a teammate is killed in a fiery, mysterious crash, Bobby refuses to race again until he understands what caused the crash and visits a clinic in the Swiss Alps to interview a surviving driver named Bertrand Modave (Steve Gadler) about the accident.
