Romance (1999)

Romance: Directed by Catherine Breillat. With Caroline Ducey, Sagamore Stévenin, François Berléand, Rocco Siffredi. Frustrated by the lack of intimacy in her relationship, a young schoolteacher goes through a series of intimidating and often violent sexual partners.

“Men hate it. Probably because itu0026#39;s not quite the pornography its detractors accuse it of. Women love it. Because it restores a womanu0026#39;s voice to the erotic? It also offers insultingly implausible solutions to genuine traumas; lacks the empathetic courage to embrace the dreamlike possibilities of its heroineu0026#39;s quest; and suggests motherhood as a womanu0026#39;s most fulfilling role. The film only becomes dull in the second half, and is more amusing than you might think, but the dreary visuals, trite metaphors, unimaginative use of voiceover and dialogue, and self-pitying acting soon become enervating.”