Nathalie Details

[Highly rated reviewer]

So solemn, so stylised, so much cigarette smoke

Mon dieux, les Français! Can they really be as stagey, as exaggerated, as camp as they’re routinely depicted (by themselves)? Hollow-cheeked collagen-lipped mascara-ed beauties who move like Lipizzaners; elegant moody women d’un certain age, a gynaecologist to boot in this case; a man considered handsome and well-built played by Depardieu -! Is there no limit to clichés? Evidently not.

This film would make a fantastic French & Saunders skit. Here’s an example from the portentous voiceover: “I lay there alone, naked in the room. I dozed, then had a drink. I was thirsty.”

If you’re in the mood for some chic and improbable tosh it may suit, otherwise there are better ways to spend an hour and a half.

I wanted more from this film.

I was quite surprised with this film. Its very well acted and the script is sparse yet full of hidden depth. Yet the film never goes that step further that it needs to become great. Also the 'twist' isn't as clever as it likes to think it is. Still worth watching for two of the sexiest stars in french cinema.