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DOUBLE LOVER Send This Review to a Friend
In writer-director François Ozon’s French film “Double Lover,” Chloé, played intriguingly by Marine Vacht, doesn’t know what awaits her. Plagued by unsolvable physical pain, she is referred to a psychiatrist. She gradually falls for him and they become a couple. But her emotions soon become even more entangled.
With the problem of being in love with her shrink, it becomes necessary to see another doc, who turns out to be the stated twin brother of shrink number one. The brothers are enemies, and both are played by versatile Jérémie Renier, with polarized personalities. As you can imagine, the plot gets increasingly complex for Chloé, as well as for us.
Ozon has based the film on the book “Lives of the Twins” by Joyce Carol Oates. What are we to make of it all? Is the double concept truthful? Is it a figment of Chloé’s imagination? Is she being played? Ozon’s film is busy with possibilities to be sorted out.
The problem, although alleviated by the excellent acting, is that the film seems excessively manipulative in its effort to function as a thriller. There is enough steamy sex to compound our interest, but by the time we get to the finish line, the wrap-up in this adventurous film may leave one with questions and dissatisfaction despite all the moments of enticement and enjoyment.
As a plus, Jacqueline Bisset is on hand with a supporting role, and it is pleasing to see her on screen again. A Cohen Media Group release. Reviewed February 14, 2018.
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