La Nouvelle Ève (1999) - film review

Camille is an emancipated 30-something woman who has no desire to settle down and have a family, preferring to coast along on a succession of ephermeral relationships and one-night stands.  However, her lifestyle fails to satisfy her fully, and in a moment of depression she runs into a complete stranger, Alexis, whom she instantly falls in love with.  Alexis, alas, is married, with two children, and works for the Socialist Party.  None of this is going to deter Camille though…

This galloping romantic comedy makes a plausible, although far from original, statement about the frustrations of a modern woman (the ‘new Eve’), but it is somewhat hampered by an aimless plot and some weak characterisation. Despite one or two entertaining moments, the whole thing appears weak and overly reliant on unconvincing stereotypes (particularly of lesbians and men in general).  The film’s one saving grace is an ebullient performance from Karin Viard, who plays the feisty, emotionally unbalanced Camille with gusto.

© James Travers 2001

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