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Review

Festival favorite Christophe Honoré has made a career of directing both innovative and controversial films that explore the intensity and fluidity of sexuality—be it mother–son incest in Ma Mère, gay teens in Three Dancing Slaves or youthful multi–partner hookups in last year's Love Songs. In this modern adaptation of Madame de La Fayette's novel of unrequited love, La Princesse de Clèves, he sets the tale of romantic agony and sexual intrigue in a Parisian high school. Louis Garrel stars as Nemours—a mop–headed young teacher who becomes obsessed with beguiling new student Junie (Léa Seydoux), who in turn becomes involved with fellow student Otto (Grégoire Leprince-Ringuet). Intrigued by the teacher's obvious interest, the complications (this being French, the problem with the student–teacher aspect is ignored) begin when Junie flirts with the smitten teacher, but goes no further, believing that if she gives in to him it will merely be a conquest and he will lose interest. Nemours will not be deterred, Junie won't give in and Otto is caught in the middle. This tale of youthful amour fou is told in classic style with perfectly tragic consequences.

 -- Raymond Murray