By: Miguel Ernesto Yusty

THE PHRASE is a film directed by actor Nicolas Bedos, which tells the story of an antihero who has a stable life with his wealthy, older lover, until he meets her alter ego, a young woman who lives off the money she steals from her older lovers. Although the protagonist believes the girl has fallen unconditionally in love with him, she has a hidden agenda, and he is merely a stepping stone to achieving her goal. The film features prominent actors such as Isabelle Adjani and François Cluzet, and although it is set in the present day, it evokes characteristics of classic film noir.

In THE FARCE, chiaroscuro is not predominant; quite the opposite. The story takes place in the seaside city of Nice, in the height of summer, with a significant percentage of the scenes set in daylight. The darkness and gray areas are represented by the vengeful feelings that drive the antagonists. These are embodied by female characters, allowing the viewer to identify them as "femme fatales," those who lead the protagonist and the other men to their downfall; they are punishing, implacable, and seductive agents. This idea of gray areas persists until the very end of the narrative, where the viewer, expecting conclusive answers, is not rewarded with any clear resolutions from the film. Even when the lights go down and the film ends, mysteries remain to be solved.

The world in which the characters of THE FARCE move is cultured, opulent, yet simultaneously primal, brimming with carnality. This is why the film resonates with the viewer, because it connects with their most basic senses. To understand it, no psychoanalytic analysis is needed; the story isn't grasped intellectually, it's absorbed through the senses. If you're of legal age, you'll surely enjoy the film.