Sans queue ni tête

Alice Bergerac (Isabelle Huppert) is a upper-class prostitute who 'specialises' in role playing for businessmen in order to pay for certain antique items she enjoys collecting. Xavier Demestre (Bouli Lanners) is an uptight, angry psychoanalyst whose marriage is falling apart. These two end up crossing paths, and changing each others lives for the better. What appears to be a very promising film about the relationship between psychoanalysis and prostitution ends up being very underwhelming and unsure of itself.

The similarities drawn between the two professions are not subtle, with the patient/client interactions and payment methods all much the same. The performances in these scenes, and generally across the board are fantastic. Huppert is particularly good, especially in the second half as we witness her question her career and future. It is the characterisation and story that are the weak points, as there are many sub-plots and characters throughout, all of which could have been taken fascinating directions, but none feel fleshed out or even completed. The film ends in a very conventional manner, and by this time it feels like we have seen a series of disjointed scenes rather than a proper film.

Unfortunately, there are many good ideas here, and technically the film is fantastic. The score creates an interesting, almost menacing atmosphere throughout, and the film is shot beautifully, but there is not enough story for this movie to be anything other than a bit above average.

3/5

This movie bears a strong resemblance to Stanley Kubrick's film "Eyes Wide Shut," which also failed at what I think the film maker was trying to say. In this one, the similarity went even so far as having an orgy scene. Doing that took a lot of courage. Does it surprise anyone that there is a parallel between psychoanalysis and prostitution? Both in the roles of client and helper; in the exchange of service for money; in a neurotic desire that needs adjustment through a session. The picture also seems to be saying that in these changing times, both "professions" are in decline. The one because of the new sexual freedom. The other because of an attitude of 'there's nothing wrong with me; this is who I am.' I like Ms Huppert, but don't think that this role was right for her. Yet it is because of her performance that the picture was watchable. Otherwise it didn't tell me anything that isn't obvious, and it did all this with a happy Hollywood ending.

I feel compelled to offer a positive review of Special Treatment both because I feel that it deserves as much, and because I am surprised at the low ratings here and the lukewarm-at-best tone of the majority of the preexisting reviews.

This film is small in scale and very thoughtful. It avoids fixating on the salacious/voyeuristic implications of the premise, instead focusing mostly on the deeper, more internal emotions, struggles and motivations of the characters. That is a very good thing. Without spoiling any plot details, I found the ending to be very inspiring. Not just another paint-by-the-numbers film.

The cast is pretty good. As others have mentioned, the cinematography is very nice. (Content-wise, there is some brief nudity and some strong language, but neither is pervasive.)

Although it is kind of beside the point of me reviewing this film, I have to say that it's wickedly distorted for a current film like Frozen to be getting rave reviews from so many people and averaging an 8.1, whilst Special Treatment languishes at 5.5. This one, the latter of those two, is better than that. Much better.

If you are in the market for an intimate, thought-provoking and ultimately life-affirming film, give this one a try. It may not be the best thing ever, but it's pretty good, and worthwhile in my estimation.