The film, sophisticated, complex and entertaining, is directed by Agnès Jaoui, who co-wrote the screenplay with her long-time collaborator, Jean-Pierre Bacri, both of whom star and give arresting, incisive performances.

Bacri portrays Etienne, an egotistical publisher. He has a cruel attitude toward his daughter, Lolita, who is overweight, resentful and feeling a lack of self-worth. Marilou Berry makes Lolita likable and yet skillfully indicates how difficult she can be. Lolita, who aspires to be a singer, has a lovely voice and needs a chance to be appreciated. But her father is the sort who can’t see beyond his own needs, and any attempt he makes to behave differently is a feeble one. He is just as blind to the needs of his young wife, who tries to be an understanding stepmother to Lolita, but meets with her rejection.

Lolita’s voice teacher is Sylvia (Jaoui), and when she hears that Lolita’s father is Etienne, she suddenly takes a closer interest in the young woman in hope of getting her father to publish the work of her author husband, Pierre (Laurent Grevill). Sylvia ultimately redeems herself, but at first she is just like everybody else, trying to use people. Such angling is exactly what bothers Lolita. She fears that others are trying to use her to get to her father, even when they are not, and she gives a boyfriend who really likes her a rough time because she is suspicious of his motives.

The screenplay is full of subtleties as various characters and their behavior are examined and we are drawn into the milieu. “Look at Me” is a delightful, witty movie for those who have the capacity to relate to a film that is much more mature than what we are generally accustomed to in American films. It is also a searing portrait of Lolita’s father as a very nasty person with no redeeming qualities. Sylvia, on the other hand, is at heart someone who can be moved by a situation and choose to do the right thing.