Director: Francois Ozon
Cast: Romain Duris, Anais Demoustier, Raphael Personnaz, Islid Le Besco.
Certificate: 15
Running Time: 108 minutes
Synopsis: After the death of her best friend, Claire (Demoustier) discovers her best friend’s husband, David (Duris), dresses up as a woman in private. The pair engage in exploring this part of his personality as they release the alter-ego, Virginia, into the world.
Ruth Rendell passed away earlier this month, and so perhaps it is fitting that Francois Ozon’s latest film is partially inspired by one of her works. Known primarily for her murder mysteries, THE NEW GIRLFRIEND actually removes the murder part, and instead focuses on the more humane aspects of the story.
Lifelong friends Claire and Laura (Le Besco) have shared all aspects of their lives with one another. That is apart from one small detail. David, Laura’s husband, likes to dress up as a woman in the privacy of his own home. However, now with his wife gone he feels it is time to explore this side of himself more. Claire’s discovery of this secret is completely by accident, and so the film develops both characters equally, as both Claire and David come to terms with the death of their loved one, and the birth of David’s alter-ego, Virginia. It’s a journey that encompasses many feelings and reactions, each adding a greater sense of drama to the outcome.
Obvious themes are explored throughout, even ones that conflict with the character. Claire cannot decide if David’s secret is a betrayal of her best friend’s memory, nor whether he can be trusted as a father. Of course these are irrational worries, but they are still ones that need exploring. The bond that grows between them also challenges just how non-judgmental we are. Claire gradually opens up the idea of Virginia, but as she wants more and more time in public, Claire finds herself hiding her new friend away by viisting different locations, away from her everyday life.
Ozon has always mixed the quirky and the sinister with a sense of jovial wonderment, and here such tone is also present. THE NEW GIRLFRIEND always feels as though it could delve into dark territory, especially when Claire faces her own sexuality and David’s attachment seems to become a bit too strong. Although these raise the tension, they don’t pay off in overdramatic fashion, and that is the key to the film’s success. The tension we feel emulates Claire and David’s concerns, despite the fact that things are never as traumatic or difficult as they imagine. The same goes for the suspicions of Claire’s husband, the wonderfully calm and stoic Gilles (Personnaz). The awkward interactions often lead to comedy, but it’s the bittersweet sort that also includes elements of shame for the characters.
THE NEW GIRLFRIEND is a rather excellent mixture of unsettling taboo confrontation, and a genuine lovely blossoming of friendship. Stunning performances, warm humour, and the tackling of divisive social issues make it a rather marvellous film of exploration and understanding. Shot like a thriller, but as warm and inviting as a melodrama, Ozon mixes tones to give us a film that is as unexpected as the events happening to the characters.
THE NEW GIRLFRIEND is out in UK cinemas from 22nd May.
