What Is A Very Special Favor About?
The premise of A Very Special Favor in 324 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In the glossy crossroads of post‑war Paris and sleek New York, a long‑absent French patriarch returns to the life he left behind. Michel Boullard—a proud, sharp‑tongued lawyer whose sense of French dignity borders on the theatrical—has spent a quarter of a century away from his daughter. He arrives with a single, oddly personal mission: to spark something beyond the rigid routine that has come to define her. To do this, he summons an old debt from across the Atlantic, enlisting the charismatic, self‑confident oil heir Paul Chadwick. Known for his effortless charm and a reputation as a quintessential playboy, Paul is asked to become the unlikely catalyst for a change that Michel believes only a foreign flirt can provoke.
Lauren Boullard—the daughter at the heart of the plan—is a distinguished Freudian psychologist, celebrated for her keen intellect and iron‑clad emotional control. She navigates the world with the precision of a scientist, keeping her personal life as tightly regulated as her practice. Her existence is a study in disciplined ambition, and the prospect of opening herself to impulsive romance feels both foreign and unsettling. The film paints her world in muted, academic tones, contrasting sharply with the vibrant, almost flamboyant energy that surrounds Paul’s New Yorkian lifestyle. This cultural and personality clash fuels a breezy, farcical rhythm that never loses its wit, allowing humor to flow through the tension between French pride and American swagger.
The premise sets up a delicate dance of intentions: a father hoping to redeem his own pride, a playboy tasked with a contrived courtship, and a psychologist poised on the edge of self‑imposed restraint. As these three forces orbit each other, the story explores the humor and unease that arise when carefully constructed identities are nudged by an outsider’s charm. The tone remains light and observant, inviting the audience to delight in the subtle battles of ego, culture, and the universal yearning for a life that balances ambition with affection.
What Happens in A Very Special Favor?
The complete story of A Very Special Favor, from the first scene to the last, in 830 words (about 4 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 5 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
Paul Chadwick is a wealthy American oilman who finds himself in a Parisian court, facing Michel Boullard, a shrewd rival lawyer. Paul wins the case, but only by using charm on the judge, who happens to be a woman. The victory stings Boullard, and the sting sharpens his resolve to prove a point about French pride. Not long after, Boullard hops a flight to New York with a plan in mind: to reconnect with his daughter, Lauren Boullard, a formidable psychologist who has built a successful career and now stands at the center of her own life. He hasn’t seen her in over a quarter of a century, ever since his American wife left him because of his flirtations with another woman. On the plane, Boullard meets Paul again, grumbling about “losing” the case despite his charm, and he presses Paul to return a favor he claims will settle the score in a uniquely French way.
In New York, Boullard discovers that Lauren is no homebound spinster but a sharp, driven professional who manages to be both respected and independent at the age of thirty. She’s engaged to Arnold Plum, a kind but passive man who exists largely to serve his fiancée’s ambitions. Boullard, watching from a distance, decides to keep his identity hidden, preferring to steer events from behind the scenes. He sees in Paul the perfect instrument to shake Lauren out of any strictly career-bound mindset and into a more passionate life. The plan is simple in outline but morally tangled: have Paul, the quintessential womanizer, pursue Lauren to “open up” her heart and perhaps reroute the course of her life.
Paul’s initial reluctance reveals a deeper strain in his character. He suspects that Boullard’s grudge is less about justice and more about wounded pride. Yet the Frenchman’s persistence, and the odd suggestion that his own success in court derives from an almost theatrical charm, convinces Paul to accept the assignment. To get closer to Lauren, he pretends to be Boullard’s patient, spinning a tale about being irresistibly drawn to women and terrified of saying no—so much so that past choices have led to tragedy. The setup is built on a web of half-truths and theatrical scarecrows, designed to mimic a romance that will test Lauren’s boundaries between career ambition and personal desire.
The relationship that unfolds is unexpectedly professional at first. The pair go out for a restaurant evening, and Lauren challenges Paul to enjoy a night out without letting flirtation derail him. The test becomes a test of her own willingness to let go of control and to trust a more spontaneous, less methodical mode of living. But the night takes an abrupt turn when Lauren, overwhelmed by champagne, is returned to her hotel in a momentary state of vulnerability. Paul creates a scene that makes it look like they have slept together, a fabrication meant to provoke a reaction and reveal the truth behind their feelings. The morning after brings a shock: Boullard’s identity is revealed, and what began as a calculated ruse shifts toward a more complicated alliance between the two men and the woman at the center of it all.
Boullard proposes a counter-move—he reveals himself, and together they hatch a plan to outmaneuver Paul. Lauren introduces a ruse of her own: a pretend Spanish lover who will be the instrument to rattle Paul’s ego. The real drama, however, is not the deception itself but the emotional weather it stirs. Paul, sensing the danger of losing control over his own power, spirals into a drinking spree, and he enlists the help of a perceptive ally in the forms of Mickey the Switchboard Operator and a hustling chauffeur, Harry the Taxi Driver. The two meet and fall in love as part of Boullard’s scheme to incite jealousy and force Lauren to confront what she really wants from life—whether it is a career, a romance, or a more balanced combination of both.
The scheme works more effectively than either Boullard or Paul anticipated. The jealousy between Paul and Lauren intensifies, and the emotional heat brings them closer in the process. What begins as a calculated test of boundaries evolves into a genuine connection that neither Boullard nor Paul can entirely anticipate. By the end of the escalation, their bond has changed the course of their lives. The couple overcome the ruses and the misdirections to acknowledge what they feel for each other, moving past pride and performance into a shared future.
In the final turn, Paul and Lauren are married, stepping into a life that promises both partnership and growth. The narrative closes on the image of a family taking root, with the couple becoming the parents of several children, signaling a reconciliation of passion, intellect, and affection. The film stays close to its tonal balance—a light, farcical rhythm that gives space to character-driven humor, while probing deeper questions about desire, pride, and the evolving roles of men and women in a modern, ambitious world.
A Very Special Favor Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
13 key events in the order they happen, from “Paris courtroom victory for Paul” to “Reunion and marriage”. 13 events name a place, across 6 locations.
- 1
Paris courtroom victory for Paul
In a Paris courtroom, Paul Chadwick, a wealthy oilman, wins a high-stakes case against Boullard by using his irresistible charm to sway the female judge. The courtroom drama demonstrates Paul's influence and Boullard's wounded pride. Boullard leaves defeated, vowing to retaliate in some fashion. The victory sets a tense tone for the men’s ongoing rivalry.
When:Paris courtroom, during the trial Where:Paris
- 2
Boullard travels to New York to reconnect with his daughter
Boullard heads to New York to find his daughter Lauren, whom he has not seen in over 25 years since his wife left him. He learns that Lauren has become an accomplished psychologist and a formidable career woman. He keeps his identity hidden and plans to guide her life from afar rather than confront it directly.
When:New York City Where:New York
- 3
Plane encounter with Paul and a favor offered
On the plane to New York, Boullard meets Paul again. He complains about losing because of Paul's supposed French charm, and Paul apologizes for hurting French pride while offering a favor in return.
When:During the flight to New York Where:On the plane to New York
- 4
Lauren's life revealed in New York
In New York, Boullard discovers that Lauren is a successful psychologist and engaged to Arnold Plum. He recognizes how his absence shaped her and resolves to influence events from a distance rather than reveal himself. He decides to enlist Paul's help in reshaping her life.
When:After arriving in New York Where:New York
- 5
Boullard enlists Paul to seduce Lauren
Boullard contacts Paul with a plan to have an affair with Lauren, hoping to awaken her passion beyond her career. He believes Paul, a consummate womanizer, can destabilize her routine. Paul is wary but intrigued by the chance to confront his own limits.
When:Shortly after Boullard's arrival Where:New York
- 6
Paul reluctantly agrees to help
Paul is initially reluctant, sensing Boullard's motive and the risk of hurting Lauren. He ultimately agrees to help after recognizing Boullard's curiosity about his courtroom victory and noticing the opportunity to test his own appeal.
When:Shortly after Boullard's plan is proposed Where:New York
- 7
Paul poses as Lauren's patient
Paul adopts the role of Lauren's patient, spinning a story about irresistible charm and a fear of suicide if he succumbs to women. He uses this persona to get close to Lauren while keeping his distance emotionally. The dynamic grows more personal as he spends time with her in New York.
When:During sessions in New York Where:Lauren's office / New York
- 8
First night out with Lauren
The two go out to a restaurant in New York, where Lauren tries to prove that Paul can enjoy a night out without flirting. Their chemistry deepens, and the boundaries between professional plans and personal attraction blur. The evening marks a turning point in their relationship.
When:Evening in New York Where:New York restaurant
- 9
The staged insinuation of an affair
Towards the end of the night, Lauren drinks too much champagne and passes out. Paul carries her back to her hotel and stages a scene that suggests they have slept together. The ruse unsettles Lauren when she wakes, setting the stage for a confrontation about truth and manipulation.
When:Late night / early morning Where:Lauren's hotel
- 10
Boullard reveals his identity
The morning after, Lauren learns the staged encounter was a setup. Boullard then reveals his true identity to her, shocking her with the revelation of his paternity and his long-hidden involvement. They decide to work together to outmaneuver Paul.
When:Following morning Where:New York
Show the other 3 events of A Very Special Favor Hide the last 3 events
- 11
Lauren's plan to sting Paul
Lauren proposes a plan to throw Paul off balance by inventing a Spanish lover who will tempt him. She tells Paul about this supposed rival and uses it to humiliate his ego. The plot returns the power dynamics to their favor and intensifies the cat-and-mouse game.
When:Soon after Boullard reveals his identity Where:New York
- 12
Paul's jealousy and the switchboard subplot
Paul goes on a drinking spree to cope with the wager, aided by a switchboard operator, Nita Talbot, who falls for a chauffeur, Larry Storch, in the process. This subplot fuels Paul's jealousy and accelerates the plan's momentum. The ensemble tie-in brings the main characters closer together in the endgame.
When:During the spree Where:New York
- 13
Reunion and marriage
The jealousy tactic succeeds in rekindling their feelings, leading to a heartfelt reconciliation. Paul and Lauren marry and eventually become parents to several children, sealing their unlikely romance. The timeline closes with a hopeful, family-forward ending.
When:Ending sequence Where:New York
Who Are the Main Characters in A Very Special Favor?
5 characters, among them Paul Chadwick (Rock Hudson), Michel Boullard (Charles Boyer) and Lauren Boullard (Leslie Caron): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
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Paul Chadwick (Rock Hudson)
Played by Rock Hudson
Paul Chadwick is a wealthy American oilman and notorious womanizer who uses charm to win cases and shape romantic outcomes. In Paris, he seduces the judge to win a court battle, demonstrating his confidence and hedonistic streak. He becomes entangled in a plan to help Boullard by becoming involved with Lauren, testing his own limits and ego. His arc culminates in marriage and a new life that pairs him with Lauren.
- 💎 Charismatic
- 🕴️ Wealthy
- 🎭 Flirtatious
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Michel Boullard (Charles Boyer)
Played by Charles Boyer
Michel Boullard is a French lawyer and proud Frenchman whose priority is reuniting with his daughter. He travels to New York to reconnect with Lauren, remaining mysterious about his identity. He engineers Paul's involvement to spark a passion, using distance as a tactic; he is strategic and proud.
- 🎩 Aristocratic
- 🧭 Strategic
- LB
Lauren Boullard (Leslie Caron)
Played by Leslie Caron
Lauren is a 30-year-old psychologist and a career-driven woman. Engaged to Arnold Plum, she is intelligent and formidable, not easily charmed by Paul. She becomes central to the love triangle and resists manipulation until she realizes her feelings.
- 💼 Career-focused
- 🧠 Intelligent
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Arnold Plum (Dick Shawn)
Played by Dick Shawn
Arnold is Lauren's fiancé, a pushover who lives to serve his fiancée. He provides comic relief while being easily manipulated; he lacks assertiveness, representing conventional male support.
- 💤 Submissive
- 🤝 Loyal
- MT
Mickey the Switchboard Operator (Nita Talbot)
Played by Nita Talbot
Mickey is a playful, romantic facilitator who becomes involved in the scheme by answering calls and aiding Paul and Boullard's plan. She also experiences a romance subplot with a chauffeur, adding lightness to the plot.
- 🎭 Supporting
- 💬 Talkative
Where and When Is A Very Special Favor Set?
A Very Special Favor is set in Paris and New York. Here is why the place matters to the story.
Where
Paris, New York
The story unfolds in a glamorous Parisian court before shifting to the bustling streets of New York. Paris provides the sophisticated, high-stakes legal backdrop for Paul’s early victory, framed by European elegance. The action then moves to New York, a cosmopolitan setting where Boullard pursues family ties and the romance triangle unfolds amid fast-paced urban life.
- 🏙️ Paris
- 🗽 New York
What Are the Themes of A Very Special Favor?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Romance, Deception and Gender Roles.
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01
Romance
Romance propels the plot as lovers and would-be lovers navigate attraction, jealousy, and manipulation. Paul uses charm to win over a judge and later to woo Lauren, while her fiancé is drawn into the romantic triangle. The film uses wit to explore how desire can blur ethical lines and threaten professional boundaries. The outcome hinges on emotional gambits more than logic.
-
02
Deception
Deception runs through the narrative as identities are concealed and plans are rehearsed. Boullard hides his true self and manipulates Paul into an affair by proxy. Paul fabricates a patient-therapist dynamic to approach Lauren, while a staged scene creates the illusion of shared intimacy. The characters rely on lies to provoke reactions and expose vulnerabilities, driving the comedy and conflict.
-
03
Gender Roles
Gender expectations shape the characters' choices: Lauren is a decisive career woman challenging traditional roles, while Boullard's pride in his French identity collides with American independence. The courtroom victory satirizes gendered authority and the ways charisma can influence power dynamics. The film juxtaposes wealth, status, and professional ambition to comment on modern relationships. Ultimately, power dynamics are negotiated through wit, not force.
What Kind of Film Is A Very Special Favor?
Light in tone, with steady pacing and a moderate story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Light
- Pacing
- Steady
- Story
- Moderate
- Intensity
- Low
- Ending
- Happy
A charming and witty farce that playfully explores the clash between romantic spontaneity and controlled intellect, set against a sophisticated backdrop of 1960s New York and Paris.
- playful
- charming
- romantic
- witty
- farce
- lighthearted
- romantic deception
- father-daughter relationship
- clash of cultures
- emotional guardedness
Quiz
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