Certainly!
Madame de La Pommeraye, a young widow who has withdrawn from the world, succumbs to the courtship of the Marquis des Arcis, a notorious libertine. After several years of flawless happiness, she discovers that the marquis has grown tired of their union. Madly in love and terribly hurt, she decides to take revenge on him with the help of Mademoiselle de Joncquières and her mother…
This revenge, plotted by Mme De Pommeraye, surprisingly echoes current themes when one thinks of the early feminism it ultimately alludes to in this film!
What remains all the more remarkable is precisely the portrayal of each character, what they represent in terms of values, conscience, interest, and at this level, appearances are indeed deceptive! Vice, virtue, sincerity, honesty, and deceit are all perfectly shaken and challenged through this Machiavellian scheme, and what emerges is truly a profound lesson! The ending is particularly excellent as it resets the clocks in a way we absolutely did not expect.
We naturally and simply delight in these verbal jousts that, through the performances of Cécile de France and Edouard Baer, become a delightful pleasure for the ears…
The supporting roles, with the presence of Alice Isaaz notably, add even more pertinence and strength to this story, through the offbeat delicacy she brings to this game of skittles.
An exquisitely well-written, well-acted, and well-filmed period movie. A story of love(s) and revenge that keeps us on the edge of our seats from beginning to end. A reflection on male/female relationships that resonates surprisingly with current events. Diderot revisited by Emmanuel Mouret, the result is well worth the detour!
