Married Judith and her platonic single friend Nicolas get together on occasion. One time he admits that he is unable to feel physically/intimately connected to any woman. They have a frank talk and she suggests certain things, all of which Nicolas has tried. Then, she suggests he kiss her to get his juices flowing, so to speak, as since she is a platonic friend there should be no strings attached. Of course, he does so, and there are strings, and that one kiss escalates into a clinical but satisfying sexual encounter.
They both claim it is merely chemistry and biology and that if they tried again they will see how distasteful it is. But it is not so, and both start feeling more for each other. There are more complications and implications for Judith since she is married. Soon Nicolas announces he has found a new woman and enjoys her company, and Judith can't help but feel a little jealous. But their affair continues, and Nicolas sees that his attraction for his new girlfriend cannot match that which he feels for Judith, and Judith sees it is the same for her and her husband. They both try to spurn each other but you can see it is for appearances sake. They plan something which ends up ruining the affair for everyone.
Throughout we return from time to time to Emilie and Gabriel, and at one juncture Gabriel tells a very short but similar story of an encounter such as what Emilie is describing.
The basic premise of this is slight but treated both lightheartedly and seriously. Although Judith/Nicolas is the meat of the story's action, it is more like a comedy of manners that make you smile instead of laugh out loud. There is actually a serious undercurrent as we watch what they do in their conflicted affair. It is not treated entirely true to life, but the emotions are right. Emilie/Gabriel bookend the film and their story is more serious/mature and realistic; it ends both qualifying Emilie's claim yet giving the audience a satisfaction of knowing "will they or won't they."
No comments:
Post a Comment