The Nature of Love: 'sly, sexy and smart' French-Canadian rom-com
The chemistry between Magalie Lépine Blondeau and Pierre-Yves Cardinal is 'electric'
"The Nature of Love" is a French-Canadian film about a professor of philosophy "who considers herself happily married but then encounters a builder and sparks fly", said Deborah Ross in The Spectator. This makes it sound like "one of those "Confessions"… films, or an airport novel, but it isn't". It's "sly, sexy and smart".
Written and directed by Monia Chokri, it stars Magalie Lépine Blondeau as Sophia, the professor, who is married to fellow academic Xavier (Francis-William Rhéaume). When they need to get their summer home renovated, Sophia hires the "rugged" Sylvain (Pierre-Yves Cardinal) – and soon they are "tearing each other's clothes off".
But Chokri gradually makes it clear what different worlds the lovers inhabit. Her family is rich and welleducated, while he comes from a "working-class" background. He "wears bad shirts", mispronounces words and is "a little bit racist". The film does recycle "romcom tropes" but it does so "knowingly". The "performances are exquisite" and "the chemistry between the two leads is electric".
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Chokri has said she wanted to shoot the film "in the manner of a nature documentary", so it is filled with "exterior shots peeking in at intimate moments", and "interior shots gazing out", said Ryan Gilbey in The Guardian. Unfortunately, this "fussy visual style" prevents us from "becoming absorbed" in the film's "tempestuous romance".
The camerawork is so stylised it is ultimately distracting, agreed Saskia Baron on The Arts Desk. And the film never really decides whether it's a "sexy romcom, an essay on class divisions or an exploration of female sexuality".
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Mary Poppins tour: 'humdinger' of a show kicks off at Bristol Hippodrome
The Week Recommends Stefanie Jones and Jack Chambers are 'true triple threats' as Mary and Bert in 'timeless' production
By Irenie Forshaw, The Week UK Published
-
Jaguar's stalled rebrand
In the spotlight Critics and car lovers are baffled by the luxury car company's 'complete reset'
By Abby Wilson Published
-
What the chancellor's pension megafund plans mean for your money
Rachel Reeves wants pension schemes to merge and back UK infrastructure – but is it putting your money at risk?
By Marc Shoffman, The Week UK Published
-
Mary Poppins tour: 'humdinger' of a show kicks off at Bristol Hippodrome
The Week Recommends Stefanie Jones and Jack Chambers are 'true triple threats' as Mary and Bert in 'timeless' production
By Irenie Forshaw, The Week UK Published
-
These 7 touring theater productions are ready to carry you through the holidays and into the new year
The Week Recommends Your favorite movie-turned-musical might be coming to a city near you
By Scott Hocker, The Week US Published
-
Kimpton Everly Hotel: the perfect base to explore Hollywood
The Week Recommends Escape the bustle of LA at this laidback bolthole
By Caroline Dolby Published
-
The best TV spy thrillers
The Week Recommends Brilliant espionage series, packed with plot twists to keep you hooked until the end
By Irenie Forshaw, The Week UK Published
-
Magnificent Tudor castles and stately homes to visit this year
The Week Recommends The return of 'Wolf Hall' has sparked an uptick in visits to Britain's Tudor palaces
By Irenie Forshaw, The Week UK Published
-
Ed Park's 6 favorite works about self reflection and human connection
Feature The Pulitzer Prize finalist recommends works by Jason Rekulak, Gillian Linden, and more
By The Week US Published
-
6 fantastic homes in Columbus, Ohio
Feature Featuring a 1915 redbrick Victorian in German Village and a modern farmhouse in Woodland Park
By The Week Staff Published
-
Vegetable cocktails are having a moment
The Week Recommends Wild carrot margarita? Mung bean old-fashioned? 'Allotment-inspired' tipples are appearing on drinks menus
By Irenie Forshaw, The Week UK Published