My American Uncle is a 1980 French film directed by Alain Resnais. The film follows the lives of three people who are brought together by their shared experiences of love and loss. The film is structured like an academic lecture and uses various techniques to explore its themes, including flashbacks and split-screen imagery.

The film is divided into three sections, each focusing on one of the three main characters: Jean, a factory worker who becomes a successful businessman; Renee, a successful actress who finds herself alone and depressed; and Janine, a struggling student who becomes a successful researcher. The three characters are connected by the work of Henri Laborit, a biologist whose research on the brain and behavior is used to explore the characters' motivations and experiences.

The film explores a number of themes, including the impact of childhood experiences on adult behavior, the role of genetics in behavior, and the influence of social class on success and happiness. The film was well received by critics and won several awards, including the Cannes Film Festival's Palme d'Or. It is widely regarded as one of Resnais' best films and is often studied in film schools and academic settings.

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