LES CORPS IMPATIENTS/ EAGER BODIES

France, 2003, 94 minutes, Colour.
Laura Smet, Nicolas Duvauchelle, Marie Denarnaud..
Directed by Xavier Gioannoli.

A very French film in its perception of characters and portrayal of them and their relationships.

Laura Smet (daughter of Johnny Halliday and Nathalie Baye) is Charlotte, a young woman with a terminal illness, going to hospitals for treatment, dealing with doctors, assisted by her mother.

Nicholas Duvauchelle is a young man who is in a relationship with Charlotte, supporting her during her illness, seemingly in love with her.

Marie Denanrnaud is Charlotte’s cousin, not having seen Charlotte for some years, coming at the time of her illness, attracted towards Paul, he to her. They begin a relationship, seemingly surreptitiously but, perhaps, encouraged by Charlotte – leading to a ménage a trois.

The first film by the director who went on to make the very entertaining The Singer, the French version of the off-key singer, Florence Foster Jenkins, Marguerite, as well as the drama about a priest exploring visionaries, Apparition.

1. The title? Illness? Sexuality and relationships?

2. The French city settings, apartments, homes, hospitals, treatment? The musical score?

3. The focus on Charlotte, her age, her illness? Her mother? Doctors and treatment? Her relationship with Paul? Love or not? His supporting her?

4. Paul, his character, age, experience, love, fidelity? The interactions with Charlotte?

5. The arrival of Ninon, the cousin, not seen for a long time? Her relationship with Charlotte? The growing relationship with Paul? Charlotte supporting this? Paul and his reactions, fidelity, honesty or not?

6. The effect on each of the characters? Charlotte – and the experience of the ménage a trois?

7. The overall effect of the film, French portrait of characters, illness and life, relationships and sexuality?