L'Amour en douce (1985)
Directed by Edouard Molinaro

Film Review

This lightweight romantic comedy was directed by Edouard Molinaro, who is probably best known for such French hit comedies as La Cage aux folles (1978).  Whilst the story and characterisation are somewhat simplistic and far from convincing, some fine performances from a superlative cast make the film both emotionally engaging and entertaining.  Daniel Auteuil appears along side his wife-to-be Emmanuelle Béart for the first time; they would subsequently work together on a number of films including Claude Sautet's Un coeur en hiver (1992).

Film Synopsis

Marc Delmas, a young lawyer living in Aix-en-Provence, likes to while away his evenings drinking with his buddies and playing cards right into the small hours.  For some reason, this doesn't seem to amuse his wife Jeanne, so she goes out and gets herself a new lover, a spry 40-something fitness fanatic named Antoine.  When Marc gets to hear of this he is unsure what to do.  Then he meets Samantha, a stunning call-girl whose well-endowed assets he is unable to resist.

Lust soon turns to love in the course of a wild weekend in Brittany, and Marc sees some wisdom in the old adage that what is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander.  Whilst Jeanne is off on holiday with her new beau, Marc settles back into their apartment with the delightful Samantha.  Jeanne doesn't appear to be too surprised when she returns, and the two couples are soon living side-by-side in perfect harmony.  All is well until Marc catches his new love in the company of an old boyfriend of hers.  Then the fur begins to fly...