What starts as a gentle, warm drama of relationships past and present slowly turns into a farcical theatrical comedy, right up to the wacky finale. Rivette brings everything together beautifully ... even if he makes us wait interminably to get there (the film is easily an hour too long!). Oddly, despite solid, fascinating performances, the romantic plots never amount to much--we never feel even a flicker of passion anywhere, besides Ugo's burning desire to find this apocryphal 18th century play. But it is often very funny and there are some revealing comments here and there. The humour keeps things moving, glossing over the rather aimless structure and contrived plot. Rivette just needs to find a bit of discipline in his filmmaking. Edited down to a brisk little rom-com, this could be a real gem!

adult themes

1.Oct.01