The Grand Illusion

Catherine Breillat traces the shockingly violent disintegration of a May-December affair in PERFECT LOVE, arguably her most realistic and disturbing study of romance gone wrong. When twice-divorced optician Frédérique (Isabelle Renauld) falls for the much younger Christophe (Francis Renaud), whose insecurity is matched only by his unconscious need for manipulation and control, she eventually becomes addicted to their toxic relationship. Once more demonstrating a superlative ear for dialogue and a preternatural ability to elicit thunderous performances, Breillat delves into the psychological roots and consequences of codependency with the unflinching courage that has become her trademark.

Part of our series, Un Bouquet de Breillat.

In French with English subtitles.

Named One of the Ten Great Neglected Feature Films of the Nineties by Manohla Dargis (Film Comment).

“The performances are unsentimental, the tone uncompromising … There’s no denying its emotional punch or the intelligence of its dark insights.” Geoff Andrew, Time Out