What's the point of the dog story?

I'm not sure about the significance of the detail of the story, but it was interesting to note the guests reaction to it. Yvon seems to have them taken in right up to the punchline, well Anne at least. Misdirection is easier to achieve if people want to be misdirected. Who would be unsophisticated enough not to laugh along? Well Yvon's black companion for one when she asks, not unreasonably, "We'll? Is it true or not?". The obvious question I would have wanted to ask, but in the company of these chattering sophisticates I too would have probably laughed along knowingly. The young lady soon regrets asking and laughs rather self-consciously with the others, at herself.
Perhaps I'm on the wrong tack, but much of the film suggests to me the avoidance of the elephant in the room, willingly or otherwise. And in the case of Georges and Anne the elephant is draped with soft furnishings and probably stuffed behind their alarmingly ostentatious set of book shelves. (Anyone else find it interesting that Georges sits in front of a representational backdrop of book shelves when comparing his TV discussion show?)

None whatsoever. It was a typical "dinner amongst friends" where jokes are bound to be told. The "dog story" was a 'set-up' to the 'punchline' - don't read into it.

:: filmschoolthrucommentaries ::

Could just be old scars coming back to haunt you.