Featured Audience Ratings

• Stephen M

  
  A smug philanderer decides there's nothing wrong with his common-law marriage that a little more casual sex won't fix, instructing his docile partner to start sleeping around, too. However, when the initially reluctant partner takes to free love like a Scot to drink, the man… More
  A smug philanderer decides there's nothing wrong with his common-law marriage that a little more casual sex won't fix, instructing his docile partner to start sleeping around, too. However, when the initially reluctant partner takes to free love like a Scot to drink, the man - now frequently left in charge of his young daughter while the free-thinking monster he created is out doing who knows what with whom - struggles to control his libido-sapping jealousy. Although this synopsis may read like a comedy, "Une Partie de Plaisir" is actually quite a nasty little movie, difficult to watch in places. Scripted by and starring regular Chabrol collaborator Paul Gégauff, the film actively courts 'art-imitating-life' notoriety with the casting of Gégauff's ex-wife Danièle as his unfortunate partner, and the couple's daughter Clémence as their onscreen progeny. Despite the universal appeal of the theme, however one chooses to express it - the grass is always greener... you don't miss your water... if it ain't broke... etc - it is impossible to sympathise with Gégauff's character, even before he graduates to violence and self-pity, because his troubles are entirely of his own making. There's also something abhorrently narcissistic about his perpetual state of half-undress and his aimless noodling at the piano, just to show us how talented he is. The best bits are the few tender moments between Gégauff and his daughter, particularly the haunting closing scene. The climax is truly horrible; the delicious irony of Gégauff's violent death at the hand of his second wife (in 1983) will not be lost on anyone who watches this.