The Things of Life (French: Les Choses de la vie) is a 1970 romantic drama film directed by Claude Sautet, based on the 1967 novel Intersection by Paul Guimard.

A Paris architect in his forties driving to a meeting at Rennes, Pierre had quarreled with his lover Hélène (Romy Schneider) the previous night.

Variety said that "directorial tact and visual solidity, fine, sensitive playing and observant characterization give an engrossing tang to this familiar tale", and added that the film "builds interest without resort to flashy sentiments or intellectual palaver.

"[5] Time Out remarked that while it's "difficult to make a film about banality without being boring in the process, but Sautet all but pulls it off, thanks to a beautifully understated performance from Piccoli.

"[6] The New York Times reviewer was more critical, saying, "I should mind this syrup less if Sautet showed more of a conscience in serving it—if the relationships seemed to have been felt rather than merely displayed" but added "Piccoli is the only reasonable point of interest" in the film.

[2] The Things of Life was remade by American director Mark Rydell in 1994 as Intersection with Richard Gere, Lolita Davidovich (as the girlfriend) and Sharon Stone (as the ex-partner).