An Affair of Love (1999)

I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

Nice effects though.

A lot more amusing than I thought it would be.

A film with more than the usual spoiler issues. Talking about it in any detail feels akin to handing you a gift-wrapped present and saying, "I hope you like it -- It's a thriller about a diabolical secret experiment."

The kind of non committal aspect of the two main characters who respond to each other's profiles is the object of getting together and learning nothing about one another has a promising premise. Of course, we, the audience and mostly the filmmaker hope that, as voyeurs, become participants into what is supposed to surprise. While I like Baye and her face on screen, it is Lopez who exudes most of the charm, even if it is that of a schoolboy. As she sees him for the last time, one is reminded of the strong ending of THE WAY WE WERE where the substance of is more satisfying because of the lovers in that film's having an interrupted past. Sergio can be quite handsome and it is to his credit that he is a good actor to be able to be non sexual given his physical attributes which would make most women find attractive. His tears do not really surprise unless it is because he feels he is an unsatisfying lover. This makes sense primarily because of his excellent wardrobe, stylishness, and obvious successful "other" life.He borders on being a stud except for his height.5'6" may or not be mentioned to get reactions from audiences worldwide who primarily think of leading men as being taller. Because I am 6'3" and find my height along with my good looks as a major plus I have had in past bedroom conquests. I lived in Paris for many years in my 20's and it sure worked there. So, I am left with a feeling of Sergio still like a young boy who does not know if he is loved by anyone including Baye and at "home'. Finally, I think the "interviewer" is a needless device and is written in as a "time filler". My personal feelings of "romance" vary and believe most men to be childlike where it is such a part of a woman's being.

This film is a little gem. It is easy not to notice good acting but in this film Nathalie Baye and Sergi Lopez gave a master-class in how to do it well.Admittedly the plot is slightly artificial. After multiple meetings they would have used first names at least and so you have to suspend some disbelief, but the conclusion that it reaches is true. You can start a relationship from any direction, such as sex first, but where it will lead is unpredictable. In end relationships work by sharing, and so one where the lives were so entirely disconnected was doomed.It clearly does not appeal to some American tastes (the six of the lowest seven rating so far are from the US) but for those who like a subtle and thought-provoking film, this is recommended.The French title is unnecessarily provocative and does the film a disservice.

The story of a romance between two people - no names, no lives, only each other and the time they had together.It's beautiful. It's one of those movies that stabs at your heart every now and then. You know what you want to happen, but at the same time, you know it won't. I love Natalie Baye and Sergi Lopez. Both actors are incredible in their own rights and wonderful together. The characters that they helped create only further that. I love how there are no names, no phone numbers, no address. There's only each other and that room. As the viewer, we don't even get to see what happens in that room, except for the more normal scenes. At the end of the movie, I can't help but wonder... what happened in that room and I watch it over and over to find out what happens and I never do. If anyone does, let me know. I'm still dying to find out. At the end of the movie, anyone who's seen it, knows it ends with an unhappy ending, but I can't help but think it will end differently. I always watch it and wait, hoping for something I know won't happen. It makes it end all the more beautifully, despite the fact that I still think in my twisted little head that perhaps the 'behind the scenes' guys gave them their phone numbers and names and they ended up together. Of course, when I know that my version didn't go as planned, I feel a deep sorrow. It's like two of my best friends breaking up and ruining everyone's lives...Of course, everything makes it all the more beautiful.I also love the way that the movie is brought out. It's a fictional movie with fictional characters presented as a documentary.

Her (Nathalie Baye) places an ad in a magazine looking for a sexual partner to share her fantasy. He (Sergi Lopez) responds. They meet in a bistro on a gray afternoon in Paris and proceed to a nearby hotel. Their coupling is verysatisfactory to them and they proceed to other encounters. All this is told in flashback with both speaking separately, and wistfully about what happenedand how it ended. This is a fascinating story, appealingly told with sureness by director Frederic Foteyne and his attractive, expressive leads. Yes, their affair is casual, sexual and without the usual "meeting cute" baggage. Actually, I thought she was the engine that began and ended the affair. Lopez's character seems to be far more emotionally involved as the affair progress than Baye's. He responds to herresponding to him and you can see him falling for her. Her speech to him about her feelings is quite startling and you think, maybe he's going to seek hercommitment. A happy ending, though this is not one of those silly tearjerkers where you sit there embarrassed, would have been wrong and it's very satisfying. I loved this small, quiet, movie. The sex is very discreet. The dialoge is direct and thank goodness this is not a wordy movie. It doesn't need it. It's got a very good director in control of his material and two fine leads who tell you all you need to know. I just discovered Sergi Lopez was the villain in DIRTY PRETTY THINGS. He's a terrific screen presence. Someone mentioned CHAOS (in connection with their review of this film),another French film I recently discovered. Two more mature, well-written, well- acted and directed films could not be imagined. Highly recommended.