Review by John Delia
Captivating and compelling the film The New Girlfriend opens this weekend at select theaters around the nation. Filled with surprises that reveal an alternate lifestyle the movie can be as much challenging as it is acceptable reality. Although it may be a bit clichéd and predictable, it still entertains with a story that’s both titillating and provocative.
Claire (Anais Demoustier) and Laura (Isild Le Besco), have been best friends for life and through childhood inseparable. On Claire’s wedding day to Gilles (Raphael Personnaz) Laura, pregnant and with her husband David (Romain Duris), looks on as the bride and groom kiss. Not long after Laura gives birth to Lucie and following the wonderful event, she dies. At the funeral Claire tells of the pact she made with her best friend that if anything happened to either, the other would continue to care for her child and husband.
A day or so after the funeral Claire makes an impromptu visit to David to see how things are going. When no one answers the door, she walks in to his house. Spotting a woman in the living room she inquires the whereabouts of David. As the woman turns she finds David holding the baby and dressed in women’s clothes. Director and writer François Ozon reveals all within the first 15 minutes of the film then takes his audience on a journey into the world of David’s alternate lifestyle. He shows Claire’s duel side of the complicated situation, one of which reveals a latent mystery of its own.
Anais Demoustier makes her character flexible not wanting to upset the man who just lost his wife, but also finds herself in a fascination for what David has become. Dressed in Laura’s clothes David is a reminder of Laura and it intrigues her. Disturbed yet open to the reasons for his choice she slowly accepts his decision to reveal his forbidden desire.
Turning David into a transgender Romain Duris adds all the moves, nuances and with make-up the look of a woman. He impresses as an actor to produce the role that in some instances is charming and vivacious as any female. He makes the film work mesmerizing and tantalizing Claire to accept him as her new best friend. Duris was nominated for a Caesar Award for his role in The New Girlfriend.
The New Girlfriend has been rated R by the MPAA for some strong sexual content and graphic nudity. The movie spools out in the French Language with English subtitles.
FINAL ANALYSIS: An alternative lifestyle with a subtle touch of realism. (B)
Additional Film Information:
Cast: Anais Demoustier, Romain Duris, Raphael Personnaz, Isild Le Besco
Directed by: François Ozon
Genre: Drama
MPAA Rating: R for some strong sexual content and graphic nudity
Running Time: 1 hr. 48 min.
Release Date: September 25, 2015
Distributed by: Cohen Media Group