Having admired some of Catherine Breillat's films, and not ever having seen this movie, we decided to watch the DVD. The transfer to this format has a washed out look, and not having seen the original copy, we can't determine whether it was done on purpose, or just that it was a bad process that was used. In any case, it appears not many people have seen this movie at all. I doubt if it was released commercially in this country.
The beginning of the film says it all. Since we already know what happened, our interest is somehow dampened by what one realizes will follow. The only shocking thing going for the film is the romance between Frederique, a woman in her late thirties and Christophe, a much younger man. That said, the film is too talky for its own good.
Ms. Breillat fills the movie with interminable scenes where Frederique and Christophe are seen in bed talking and drinking Coke. The other issue is Christophe's sexual duality, something that Philippe, his bad-mouthed friend has no problems explaining his sexual escapades to a would be shocked Frederique, who is in fact bored with the whole thing. To say the couple's relationship is ruined by jealousy and recriminations is to make it better than what it really is.
The best thing in the film is Isabelle Renauld, who plays Frederique with great conviction. Her character, an eye specialist, seems to be completely the opposite of the man she falls for, yet who can deny that it happens in real life? Francis Renaud is Christophe, who is at times lovable, and irritating. Alain Soral is seen as Philippe.
After watching this moody film, the viewer might wonder what made him watch it in the first place.
The beginning of the film says it all. Since we already know what happened, our interest is somehow dampened by what one realizes will follow. The only shocking thing going for the film is the romance between Frederique, a woman in her late thirties and Christophe, a much younger man. That said, the film is too talky for its own good.
Ms. Breillat fills the movie with interminable scenes where Frederique and Christophe are seen in bed talking and drinking Coke. The other issue is Christophe's sexual duality, something that Philippe, his bad-mouthed friend has no problems explaining his sexual escapades to a would be shocked Frederique, who is in fact bored with the whole thing. To say the couple's relationship is ruined by jealousy and recriminations is to make it better than what it really is.
The best thing in the film is Isabelle Renauld, who plays Frederique with great conviction. Her character, an eye specialist, seems to be completely the opposite of the man she falls for, yet who can deny that it happens in real life? Francis Renaud is Christophe, who is at times lovable, and irritating. Alain Soral is seen as Philippe.
After watching this moody film, the viewer might wonder what made him watch it in the first place.