An Affair of Love
In its home country, it was known as "A Pornographic Affair." But that title made it sound too smutty for general consumption, so the film's American distributor changed it to "An Affair of Love."Even though that title makes it sound more like a movie made for the Lifetime cable network, it at least comes closer to describing this somewhat ambitious French drama, which drives home its points with subtlety and even a bit of poignancy.
And yes, believe it or not, this movie does have something important to say — about the nature of relationships and the inability of some people to commit in our increasingly emotionally aloof society.
It's also a showcase for two exceptional performances, by award-winning French actress Nathalie Baye ("The Return of Martin Guerre") and Spanish actor Sergi Lopez ("Western"). They star as two single fortysomethings who meet because of a personal ad.
Recounting the details to an unseen interviewer (the voice of Jacques Viala), the two unnamed characters reveal that they originally intended their relationship to be purely sexual in nature.
Consequently, they agree to keep it as impersonal as possible. Without revealing their names, the two agree to meet once or twice a week for drinks before they head off to the same hotel.
Possibly even more damaging is a chance encounter with an unhappily married elderly couple, two bitter but co-dependent people who warn them to get out while the getting's good.
Despite that bit of pessimism, the film isn't nearly as unrelentingly downbeat as so many French offerings have been of late. In fact, it has a downright playful sense of humor that manifests itself when you least expect it.
Even more refreshing is the screenplay, by French novelist and playwright Philippe Blasband, which has a real ring of truth to it. For example, in the separate "interviews," the characters remember details and events differently, and there's an almost embarrassed tone to the characters' revelations.
Still, it might not have worked without the luminous Baye, who scarcely looks her age (she was 50 when it was filmed) and Lopez, with whom she shares tremendous chemistry.
"An Affair of Love" is rated R for simulated sex, crude sexual talk, brief female nudity and use of some mild profanities. Running time: 80 minutes.
E-MAIL: jeff@desnews.com