By George Kozera
We first meet Sophia (Magalie Lepine Blondeau) and Xavier (Francis-William Rheaume) at a dinner party with some close friends. The topics and conversations around the dining room table ooze with intelligentsia and witty banter. Once back home, this couple, who have been together for ten years without the “benefit” of marriage, retreat to separate adjoining bedrooms where Sophia asks Xavier if he was sexually attracted to one of the guests at the party who just happened to be single. The next day, Sophia goes alone to meet with a contractor they both hired at the chalet they purchased north of Montreal to determine how much work the house requires and meets Sylvain (Pierre-Yves Cardinal, best known for his role in Xavier Dolan’s “Tom at the Farm”). Sylvain is smoking hot with enough testosterone to fuel a small country. Before one can say “Mon Dieu”, they embark on a highly-charged sexual liaison.
Nominated for the Un Certain Regard Award at this year’s Cannes festival, THE NATURE OF LOVE succinctly tackles many fascinating topics. What makes for a perfect relationship: brains (which Xavier has in spades but is as sexual as a neutered puppy) or brawn (Sylvain may not be the sharpest knife in the drawer but he is incredibly attentive in every other way). How does either gender deal with their mid-life crises. When and what makes a long-term relationship burdensome.
Director Monia Chokri seems inspired by the films of fellow Quebec Oscar winner Denys Arcand and seamlessly merges the witty repartee alongside unbridled passion and romanticism. She also elicits magnetic performances from the Movie’s three leads and the look and feel of the movie is inspired. But for reasons that would reveal key plotlines, I found THE NATURE OF LOVE somewhat polarizing and not completely credible. I do suggest it’s almost essential viewing and I would LOVE to talk about it afterwards!
THE NATURE OF LOVE screens at TIFF ’23:
Thursday, Sept.14, 4PM, Scotiabank
Friday, Sept. 15, 9:15PM, Scotiabank
For advertising opportunites please contact mrwill@mrwillwong.com