VICTORIA,

France, 2016, 97 minutes, Colour.
Virginie Efira, Vincent Lacoste, Melvil Poupaud.
Directed by Justine Triet.

A film of more interest to French audiences than those outside France although it has a very contemporary story, the focus on a woman who is a lawyer, her personal life, her estranged husband who creates stories about her, combining fact and fiction, her daughters and the need for babysitters. There are glimpses into her past and her relationships. The film is a showcase for French actress Virginie Efira.

An earnest former client, Vincent Lacoste, is devoted to her, babysits, is urged to study law by her, becomes attracted. The reunion at the end of the film stretches credibility somewhat, such a talented woman relying on such an average man.

At the centre of the film is a court case, where she defends a friend from the past, having a conversation with the woman accusing him – and a hearing which precludes her from the case and suspends her for six months. When she returns, she does defend the client, relying on the intervention and responses of a dog, and her friend is acquitted.

1. Contemporary French story? Professional woman? Her daughters? Relationships? Her career? Bad choices?

2. The French city, homes and apartments, law courts and offices, clubs and outings? The musical score?

3. The title, the focus on Victoria, her age? her background, relationship, daughters, her husband and his self-focus, publishing the stories about her, fact and fiction, her reaction? Taking him to court? Having a variety of babysitters? Samuel, past client, drugs, his bonding with the children, wanting to be the apprentice, her urging him to study law, his attraction to her? Her taking him for granted?

4. Her dealings with Vincent, past friendship, his wife, his behaviour, the wedding scene, her accusing Vincent of trying to kill her? Her own erratic behaviour? His getting the help of Victoria, her hesitation professionally? Taking on the case? The encounter with his wife in the court case, her being disbarred? Suspended for six months?

5. Sexual issues, her past promiscuity, bringing men into the house? Samuel and his response?

6. The time away from courts, her friends, support? Going back to work? The court case for Vincent and his wife? The irony of the examining of the dog, the dog and its moods being brought in evidence? Her winning the case?

7. Samuel, his leaving her, coming back after study, wanting to work with her, the relationship?