Sexual fancy meeting you here.
An Affair of Love
Review by Ross Anthony

Two middle-aged people meet for the first time in a Parisian Coffeehouse. The two sit across a small round table in a smiling silence and childishly giddy anticipation of the affair only a hotel away.

She, intelligent, decidedly curious and bold, composed an ad seeking the appropriate male to fulfill the one sexual fantasy her previous partners of marriage etc., had left unfulfilled.

He answered.

That first meet, he, awkward, seeks to get to know her, she's beautiful, yet ordinary, yet dangerously classy in her direct elicit request. She's not interested in name, age, history, "I've booked the room at the hotel across the street."

The two walk in the room, shut the door, cut scene, and are back at the coffeehouse the following week. After the physical, they find the verbal very relaxed and tension-free. "You know, you're a decent man. I mean, you didn't have to be." The words escape her with surprise and a certain radiance that parallels the glistening in her eyes.

What was intended to be purely physical, pornographic really (it's the word used in the French title) swiftly takes an unexpectedly decent turn.

These two French actors are wholly charming. You'll fall for both of them. You'll feel like you're there sipping your latte and falling in love with the perfect stranger.

Essentially, this is the film, the two of them talking. The only two action sequences include a single love scene and an old man falling down off screen ... we only hear the thud. Still it's more compelling than some digital effects packed flicks as of late. The climax is as subtle as chance eye contact over the rim of a swirling glass of wine. Subtle, but breathtaking.

Enchanting, sweet and appropriately humorous, this affair isn't the lewd one you might expect.



  • An Affair of Love. Copyright © 2000. In French with English subtitles.
  • Starring Nathalie Baye (her), Sergi Lopez (him), Paul Pavel, Sylvie Van Den Elsen.
  • Directed by Frederic Fonteyne.
  • Written by Philippe Blasband.
  • Produced by Patrick Quinet a Fine Line Features presentation.



Grade..........................B+



Copyright © 2000. Ross Anthony, currently based in Los Angeles, has scripted and shot documentaries, music videos, and shorts in 35 countries across North America, Europe, Africa and Asia. For more reviews visit: RossAnthony.com


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Last Modified: Saturday, 16-Sep-2006 08:21:00 PDT