The crass trailer for Olivier Ducastel and Jacques Martineau’s “Cote d’Azur” suggests it is but another ooh-la-la French sex farce, but the film is actually a gentle parable on the folly of sexual pretense.
| Witty and wise: A gentle parable on the folly of sexual pretense extends a warm embrace to those learning to accept themselves and others as they really are.
Rated: Not rated, probably R for adult themes and situations. In French, with English subtitles. Now showing: Seven Gables. |
It is a comedy, more sensual than sexy, and it is wise in the ways of the heart – and the loins.
This is a sophisticated adult treat in the French manner with an attractive and gifted cast and is essentially serious, yet often whimsical and always compassionate.
Marc Biancheri (Gilbert Melki), proprietor of a garage in Paris, is looking forward to summer vacation as a special treat.
He has just inherited his late grandparents’ ancient Cote d’Azur villa, where he spent the happy summers of his youth and which he hasn’t seen for more than 20 years.
Although somewhat rundown, the place has an irresistible, picturesque charm. Marc’s lovely, easygoing wife, Beatrix (Valeria Bruni-Tedeschi), who frequently credits her liberated views to her half-Dutch heritage, quickly settles in.
Almost as quickly, the Biancheri’s 19-year-old daughter, Laura, takes off for Portugal with her biker boyfriend, but 17-year-old son Charly has invited Martin, a former schoolmate he hasn’t seen for a year, to visit.
Marc, who likes to keep busy, has a hard time relaxing and frets about his children and their sex lives while Beatrix’s laissez-faire attitude perversely leads her to get it in her head that her son, merely shy with girls, is gay.
She congratulates herself on her approval of his presumed affair with Martin, who actually is gay and hopes Charly is too. Martin’s resulting sexual frustration propels the plot in unexpected directions.
Meanwhile, Beatrix’s ardent lover has turned up unexpectedly, and, although at first feeling a little tacky over their clandestine meetings, Beatrix decides to enjoy the continuity in her double life.
There are consciousness-raising surprises ahead for the Biancheris, particularly Marc and Beatrix, who have never really reflected on the consequences of the pretense in their lives.
Witty, buoyant and affectionate, “Cote d’Azur,” with its delightful ensemble cast, extends a warm embrace to those learning to accept themselves and others as they really are.
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