Far more adult than its UK 15 certificate would suggest, this is a sophisticated sex drama that only the French care to make (could make?). It doesn't speed off anywhere, is less than stunning but a constant surprise and delight. Depardieu is Depardieu but Emmanuelle Beart on top form and if she looks a little hard in the nightclub scenes, quite stunning elsewhere. Top performance is that of Fanny Ardant around whom the whole film revolves and she does a sterling job, convincing at all times in a very difficult role. No full frontal nudity but very frank descriptions of sexual acts make this both a sexy and disturbing drama. Well shot with much effective contrast between the generous amounts of Paris street scenes, modest interiors and the sparkling nightlife. Music ranging from Leonard Cohen to dance, through Michael Nyman is also most effective and all goes to help make what is really a most slender story, so captivating.
Review of Nathalie...
