Les choses qu’on dit, les choses qu’on fait

Nominated for 13 Césars (the French Oscars), Emmanuel Mouret’s wonderfully constructed romantic comedy conjures up the spirit of Eric Rohmer by revealing the gaps between what someone says and what someone does when it comes to affairs of the heart (‘Love Affair(s)’ is the English title, but the French title captures the spirit much more effectively; it translates as ‘The Things We Say, the Things We Do’). At the centre of what is a roundelay of romantic intrigue is Maxime (Niels Schneider), a translator and aspiring novelist, who visits the Avignon countryside, where the pregnant Daphné (Camélia Jordana), partner of his cousin François (Vincent Macaigne), plays host. In short order, they pour out their stories—not always the best way to stay faithful…

‘Writer-director Emmanuel Mouret’s lengthy but deliciously calibrated “Love Affair(s)” consists of talk, talk and more talk uttered by attractive protagonists in French settings that range from enviably nice to spectacular. This would fit perfectly in a time capsule under “Unapologetic French Art Film”… Can a relationship based solely on sexual attraction endure? Is total fidelity to one person inherently admirable? Is love serious or not? Do books and movies of yore guide us to give in to temptation or to resist?’—Lisa Nesselson, Screen