Double Lover, Francois Ozon’s twisted erotic thriller loosely based on the Joyce Carol Oates novel, “Lives of the Twins,” world-premiered at the 2017 Cannes Film Fest (in competition) to mixed critical response.
The protagonist is Chloé, (Young and Beautiful’s Marine Vacth), a fragile young woman who falls in love with her psychoanalyst, Paul (Jérémie Renier,) soon after starting therapy to try and uncover the roots of some mysterious symptoms.
Several months later, the couple moves in together, but Chloé discovers that her lover is keeping part of his identity a secret.
Visually striking, often outrageous, and full of mischievous cinematic references, as is often the case with Ozon’s features, DOUBLE LOVER is an explicitly erotic thriller that, among other things, tests the fine line between art and trash.
In Cannes, many critics and fans of Ozon’s previous work, dismiss the film as a minor feature, sort of a guilty pleasure.
Other critics, who consider Ozon a n auteur, have tried to establish links between Double Lover and previous films. They point out that as a master at playfully exploring sexual repression and the inner lives of women, Ozon returns with DOUBLE LOVER to several of the themes and genres he has delved into throughout his prolific career. His films include Water Drops on Burning Rocks, Criminal Lovers, Under the Sand, 8 Women, Swimming Pool, In The House, Young & Beautiful, The New Girlfriend and Frantz.
DOUBLE LOVER marks the second time that Jérémie Renier works with Ozon since Potiche opposite Catherine Deneuve. A frequent Dardenne brothers muse (The Unknown Girl, The Kid With a Bike, The Silence of Lorna, L’enfant, La Promesse), his credits also include Bertrand Bonello’s Saint Laurent, Olivier Assayas’ Summer Hours, Martin McDonagh’s In Bruges, and Joe Wright’s Atonement.
Credits:
Written and directed by Francois Ozon.
Loosely based on the Novel “Lives of the Twins” by Joyce Carol Oates.
Produced by Eric & Nicolas Altmeyer.
Cinematography by Manu Dacosse.
Production Design by Sylvie Olivé.
Costume design by Pascaline Chavanne.
Music by Philippe Rombi.
Cast:
Marine Vacth, Jérémie Renier, Jacquline Bisset, Myriam Boyer, Dominique Reymond. A Cohen Media Group release.
