I respect and watch a lot of French film. I also have a few directors I have a problem with. I have seen most of Ozon's films, and not one of them have I really responded to. I find in his work a confusion of sexuality or should I say sexualities. His way of filming always seems crisp and clear, and yet he confuses me as a director. With some actors he is excellent. Jeanne Moreau, Danielle Darrieux and of course Charlotte Rampling, but I cannot take his scenarios seriously. I have as I said a problem of where the centre is in his work. He seems to float over issues, and the subject of death which he touches on in some of his films never quite ring true. I see a pretty coffin in this film, a beautiful woman in it and then the closing of the coffin lid. It just seemed morbidly superficial. He also seems to like women so much and directing them that he even ( quite successfully ) turns Roman Duris into an imitation of one. He even turns a heterosexual scene into a travesty ( I use the word intentionally ) of a Lesbian one. It fails and from broad humour that reminded me he had seen ' Some Like It Hot ' too often it descends into, well not exactly tragedy, but something confusing between the comic and the serious. I came away thinking that I enjoyed the stereotype mess of it, and for that I give it 2 for pleasure. Did I ' buy ' the whole experience. Confusedly no. The ending is perhaps daring for some, but was ultimately politically correct and conformist at the same time.
Review of The New Girlfriend
