I don’t know what is tougher to pin down — a commonality in Alain Resnais’ work, or an answer to “what the hell is this movie about?” It’s one of those stories of many different characters who each know each other tangentially, but are actually playing a small part in a larger drama. The best of these mini-stories involves a woman who lends religious VHS tapes to her co-worker without realizing (or so we think) that there is hardcore porn tagged on to the end — and that the performer may in fact be her! The real star is the set design, though (it is an adapted play.) Old-country apartments, modern glass offices, pastel-glowing hotel bars, remodeled studio flats and snowy Parisian streets interlocking it all. It’s like the pages of an interior design magazine come to life. There are moments of sadness, tenderness, sexuality and slapstick comedy. The tonality doesn’t really match, but that is part of the reason why I find this movie so charming. It was made by an 84 year old director who can make whatever damned movie he wants, so if some of the notes come in flat or sharp that’s just his business. I enjoyed it.
