Une nouvelle amie

The first film I saw which had a transvestite character was The Damned, some 50 years ago. In the intervening years we've had any number of accounts of a man (why almost always a man?) who has to dress as a woman. Ozon's film has a stale air about it which works against our enjoyment.

For me Anais Demoustier is the sole strong actor in this; Duris and Personnaz give capable support but she must carry the story, and carry it she does very memorably. The feeling is always that punches are being pulled, that possibly painful moments are being glossed over. I expected more anger from Personnaz's character when he discovered the deception (the weekend in the country with Duris, instead of the mother's house). Everybody is so well behaved, it doesn't ring true. La Cage aux Folles had more sting to it, you knew how bigoted some people were.

I haven't really enjoyed an Ozon film since 8 femmes of 2002. He's coasting, giving us tried and true subjects and clichéd situations.

each theme and solution, scene and flavor, cliché and provocation from the Francois Ozon 's circle is present in The New Girlfriend. the game/joke skin of story, the seductive song, the gay sparkles. result - a kind of comedy. because , and it is not a really surprise, the director presents a large scene without precise direction. and that spring story has the sin to not explore, in the fair manner, the potential of story, the art of actors - Romain Duris is better than the ambiguous sketch from movie and Raphael Personnaz is not only the gray-shadow man . but, sure, for the fans of Ozon, the film could be a delight.

"The New Girlfriend" is a film that will most likely challenge many viewers. After all, it presents some aspects of human sexuality that clearly will offend some and the film is filled with nudity. However, it is very well made in interesting throughout.

The picture begins with a lovely montage in which you see two young girls, Laura and Claire, as they meet, become best friends, spend their adolescent, teen and adult lives together. Each marries and Laura has a baby...and things look great. But then the young mother, Laura, dies and naturally everyone is bereft.

Some time passes and Claire (Anaïs Demoustier) goes to check in on Laura's husband, David (Romain Duris) and is shocked to find that he is dressed as a woman. He makes an excuse that he's dressed like a woman to make it easier for the baby...but it soon becomes clear that he's been dressing like a woman for years....just not publicly.

Through the course of the film, David/Virginia and Claire become close friends...very close friends. She helps him play the role of Virginia better but there is a problem...Claire's own sexuality is uncertain. She fantasizes about David being gay, though throughout the film he appears straight...even when he is Virginia. But her own feelings and orientation are quite vague.

The film explores the wide range of human sexuality and experience and does it quite well. It is very well acted and directed. My only qualm is one flashback scene where you see David undressing and caressing his dead wife...it's pretty disturbing and unnecessary. Overall, a well made film that leaves lots and lots of questions unanswered and might also leave the viewer a bit disturbed as well.

I came to this film as a long-time lover of French cinema, a devotee of Ruth Rendell/Barbara Vine's masterful storytelling (here given its deserved production values at last, after all of the rather limiting low-budget TV adaptations) and Romain Duris' incredibly versatile, sensitive acting - so all the elements were already in place; it was pretty much a foregone conclusion I would adore it, but I still wasn't prepared for the emotional head-rush.

The nature of attraction is explored fascinatingly; it goes through stages including revulsion, acceptance, friendship, attraction and love and revisits them, with an ending that blew me away and stayed with me long after the film finished, making me think deeply about the limitless nature of love and things unexpectedly turning out for the best.

The two leads were captivating and the unexpected humorous touches at some of the saddest or serious of moments were a pure joy.

This film is better than it sounded when I read the synopsis in the guide. It's not overly salacious or politically correct but it does put another nail in the coffin for boring white straight guys. It's a story about grief perhaps but it seems to celebrate people accepting who they are even if that's a little left of Centre, like cross dressing. The lead actress is fantastic at her role. It's a meaty premise, lightly handled with French charm. You don't have to be a rainbow warrior to enjoy it. Sure it's a little too neatly wrapped up, but it's like a little pomegranate in your salad. It kinda wakes you up.