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.
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