Introducing his film "L'amant double" at the 2017 London Film Festival, director François Ozon informed the British audience that to the French we Brits have a reputation for kinkiness - therefore, he hoped we would enjoy his film.
Plagued by stomach pains that she is told are all in her head, Chloé (Marine Vacth) starts seeing psychiatrist Paul (Jérémie Renier with awful yellow beard and messy hairstyle). The pair fall in love (so much so that he's willing to let her use a dildo on him), but soon after they set up home together Chloé discovers that Paul has a twin brother whom he has never mentioned. Intrigued, she sets up a meeting with the twin, Louis (Renier again, with same awful yellow beard but neater hair) and before long she's boffing both brothers. But for what reason did Paul disown his twin, and how will that impact on Chloé's own fragile mental state?
So what is this film - psychological thriller? Mystery? Comedy, even (Myriam Boyer's cat-obsessed neighbour)? Ozon has produced such an entertaining film that it does not seem to matter. Which is not to say the film is flawless - I am not convinced the final explanation is 100% watertight; and French films where women lose their grip on reality are ten a penny.
Vacth is an engaging lead and Renier constructs two distinct characters as the twins (and, like Vacth, engages in a decent amount of on-screen nudity, which is always welcome). A surprise to me was the splendid performance of Jacqueline Bisset in her own dual role - it is a very nice turn indeed.
Plagued by stomach pains that she is told are all in her head, Chloé (Marine Vacth) starts seeing psychiatrist Paul (Jérémie Renier with awful yellow beard and messy hairstyle). The pair fall in love (so much so that he's willing to let her use a dildo on him), but soon after they set up home together Chloé discovers that Paul has a twin brother whom he has never mentioned. Intrigued, she sets up a meeting with the twin, Louis (Renier again, with same awful yellow beard but neater hair) and before long she's boffing both brothers. But for what reason did Paul disown his twin, and how will that impact on Chloé's own fragile mental state?
So what is this film - psychological thriller? Mystery? Comedy, even (Myriam Boyer's cat-obsessed neighbour)? Ozon has produced such an entertaining film that it does not seem to matter. Which is not to say the film is flawless - I am not convinced the final explanation is 100% watertight; and French films where women lose their grip on reality are ten a penny.
Vacth is an engaging lead and Renier constructs two distinct characters as the twins (and, like Vacth, engages in a decent amount of on-screen nudity, which is always welcome). A surprise to me was the splendid performance of Jacqueline Bisset in her own dual role - it is a very nice turn indeed.