Cent francs l'amour (1986)
Directed by Jacques Richard

Film Review

With its bizarre bisexual love triangle and saucy eroticism, Cent francs l'amour was one of the most unusual French romantic comedies of the 1980s.   Although the plot is somewhat implausible, the film makes some intelligent observations on the nature of obsession and shows what lengths individuals are prepared to go to when hooked by the power of love.  Don't be misled by the opening credit sequence, which gives the impression of a cheap piece of Emmanuelle-style erotica.

The film stars Pierre-Loup Rajot, one of the sexiest French male actors of the day, a fact which both director and cinematographer exploit to the full.  His co-star, Valérie Steffen, is not quite so impressive as an actress, but her Bardot-esque beauty makes her a convincing object of desire, and her peepshow sequences are the stuff of quality soft-core porn videos.  Alluring as these two actors are, the best performances are from Richard Bohringer and Dominique Pinon.  Bohringer's restrained dramatic portrayal of a lonely middle-aged homosexual is full of pathos and bitterness, whilst Pinon is peculiarly convincing as the self-obsessed writer who turns to prostitution to make a quick buck.

Film Synopsis

Jérémy is a struggling young photographer who desperately needs some cash so that he can put on an exhibition of his work.  He finds a willing backer in Maurice, a solitary older man who offers him money in exchange for his company.  With his relationship with his girlfriend Camille heading for the rocks, Jérémy pays his one hundred francs and enters a peepshow.  It is here that he encounters the beautiful Otie, under whose intoxicating spell he soon falls.  Otie refuses to meet Jérémy in any other place, so to indulge his ever-increasing obsession for this stunning siren the photographer has only one course of action. He must use the money Maurice has given him to make repeated visits to the peepshow.  One hundred francs a throw is the price of his love...