Quartett D'Amour - Liebe, wen du willst

"Physical infidelity is the signal, the notice given, that all fidelities are undermined." Katherine Anne Porter

Polyamory is tricky for the best of lovers, so put two couples into mate-swapping, with kids in the mix and professions pushing time limits, and you have a perfectly French sex drama not easy on anyone involved.

Oh, in Four Lovers it's initially easy enough, as attractive as the principals are and as conducive the circumstances: Vincent (Nicolas Duvaunchelle), a blonde boy/man with tattoos and Web designing occupation, connects with Rachel (Marina Fois), a boutique jeweler; her husband, Franck (Roschdy Zem), is a coffee-table erotic book writer/photographer, who through deft massaging connects with Vincent's Teri, a former Olympic gymnast of half American blood. Sensuality abounds through most of the film with no apparent jealousy as everyone knows what's up. Only when the kids need attention or a diary is read does the edginess of this hanky-panky surface. And then it's all still very much subdued. It's unusual not to witness crying and shouting as the inevitable challenges arise. But then it's discomforting not to have discourse among the principals about their infidelities. The film's so cool as to be almost passionless.

Unlike Mike Nichols' Closer, starring Julia Roberts and Clive Owen, which has a similar situation with four acquaintances unfaithful to each other, Closer has a decidedly US/Brit clandestine, guilt cast to it. But it is full of witty dialogue that helps us deconstruct their astonishing selfishness and disregard for feelings.

I had assumed the French Four Lovers approach would be the opposite: open, relaxed, sensitive, sensual, and surviving. I was right: It's a different world from the Catholic one I grew up in, but it seems the same demons show up in different disguises.

Even the French can't find this arrangement tenable over the long haul.

"I don't want to sell myself short. You hurt your spouse, not so much by the infidelity, but by the negative feelings about yourself that you bring home." Michael Zaslow

This is a good movie with a bold theme. The sexual entanglement of two married couples who practice swinging among themselves in a modern French middle-class setting, the initial euphoria succeeded by antagonism, irritation and the ending of this pact. Along with the bold erotic scenes, the parable of the "Prodigal Son" is narrated by a family patriarch during a meal, while there is a brief dialogue in English, in this French speaking movie. Actors and actresses support ably their roles, while the focus is more on the women than the men. In the end a memory remains more sweet than bitter for those involved. I dare say the same applies to viewers.

I totally liked this film. The plot is superb and totally realistic.The plot reveals something most married man and woman dreams of. An open relationship which let each partners to have extramarital relationships without any strings. But is it actually possible? This awesome movie discuss about how such an relationship could effect their and their loved once lives. It is as complicated as any human relationship could be or even more. It could seem something beautiful at first; but it always makes a life immensely complicated. Actually almost unbearable. The film is a total beauty from the start to the end. Totally watchable. Every character is well built and the cast do a wonderful job by actually living in them. I can't imaging any better end for this movie other than it has. I am truly satisfied. My time didn't go waste.

... so does watching this film make more couples say ... no not ever ... yea sounds good ... both ... or not for all of them ... was it something already thought about ... or truly never entered my mind ... for some they might watch with caution

... sexually fascinated by any-all of them or not ... few will not be made to think-consider the film's implications ... speculate on another couple you might consider.