Dusting off the sexual tension...
This
is a deliciously entertaining romance between a
surly middle-aged man (Bacri) and the young
woman he hires to be his housekeeper (Dequenne).
To be honest, it's not really a romance. Rather,
this is a relationship based on need and lust
and convenience. Claude Berri directs this sly
and witty screenplay that will have you falling
into the same trap as the two main characters.
There is a time, about half way through the
film, when you may suspect that this is a real
love story. But Berri confronts that idea with a
marvelous scene in which both participants in
the relationship admit to one another that this
is most likely a temporary sexual fling that
won't go anywhere. There is such a compelling
frankness to this film and it never gives in to
convention and sentiment.
The two leads are magnificent. Bacri is a sour
puss who still manages to retain a semblance of
charm. Dequenne announces herself as a bright
young force in the industry. She has been
fantastic in all three films that I have seen
her in (Rosetta, Brotherhood of the Wolf, The
Housekeeper).
This is a sexy and funny and honest film. Make
an effort to seek it out!
©
Written by TC Candler
Richard
Propes' Comment
n/a
Jacob
Hall's Comment
n/a
