Both Sides of the Blade * * * *

This recent film from French film maker Claire Denis is an intimate and challenging love triangle.  Pleasingly it features older people rather than the ubiquitous young hotties. (Though some would say Juliette Binoche is - and always will be - eternally hot). 

In this film Juliette Binoche plays Sara, a woman in her fifties who is in a long term relationship with similarly aged Jean (Vincent Lindon).  After nine years they are still in love. In fact they can't keep their hands off each other. Carefree, they swim in blue waters whilst on holiday. 

They return to the city and their tiny apartment.  Sara goes to work.  She hosts a radio program where she interviews different people who represent various causes of some sort. Jean  doesn't seem to have a job, but their conversations tells us a lot.  He has been in prison.  

"What's wrong Baby?"

He once worked with a business partner, Francois. We get the impression things went wrong and Jean took the fall.  Now Francois is back on the scene and wants Jean to go into business with him again.  Sara is concerned.  She knows Francois all too well.  In fact, Francois is Sara's "Ex". 

Jean knows this, but they are all mature and excepting of the situation.  Or are they..?  When Sara sees Francois after so many years the effect is overwhelming for her.  She is frightened of her own feelings. She wants to stay away from him. She knows she will be weak if he makes a move on her.  And he does.  Passion is ignited. Now she is frightened of losing Jean who suspects her feelings for Francois. 

It's a difficult and complicated drama. I am glad a woman wrote and directed this film.  Were it a man I have to wonder would there be an outcry for having created a woman like Sara.  Basically she seems to be so torn between these two men.  She has lost her way. She is more intelligent than both of them but she becomes pathetic.  

She lies, she cheats, she lies again.  On bended knee she begs forgiveness.  She denies the obvious.   It's like the film is saying - To hell with sending a politically correct or a feminist message, when it comes to love people can be vulnerable, selfish and self destructive. 

Despite the fact that much is conveyed to us merely through conversation, a lot more is conveyed through intimate (almost invasive) photography.  Hands brushing against each other, a kiss too long, a compliance for adventurous sex against her will.  It's almost as though we have witnessed things we should not have, putting us at times in an awkward but empathetic position with Sara. It's very good cinema.