Ostensibly about relationships, the basic themes in this story are really determined by a clash between American and French cultures.  Based on the novel by Diane Johnson, the story line seems at first, somewhat scattered, but in the end converges in a sudden dénouement.  This technique is typical of the author who used the same storyline approach in a subsequent novel, L'Affaire, which became the S.F. Chronicle book of the year.  She also wrote Le Marriage.

One can understand the social forces at play in this comedy because the acting is extraordinarily good.  On the surface there is the traditional, more casual acceptance of sexual freedom for French married men.  There is also the European comfort level with sex.  However to appreciate the depth of the cultural differences it's an advantage to be at least somewhat familiar with Napoleonic code, the basis for the French legal system.  It's valuable to know that even though reformed in the latter half of the 20^th Century, it still subordinates women to their husbands and fathers, who control family property, determine the fate of children and are favored in divorce proceedings.  This figures heavily in the storyline.

Kate Hudson plays Isabel who visits her pregnant sister Roxeanne in Paris, arriving just as Roxeanne's French husband, an artist, is leaving her.  This problem is the setup for the screenplay plot line, which then seems to take off in simultaneous multiple directions.  Naomi Watts plays Roxeanne, a poet who already has one child.  Glenn Close plays Olivia Pace, a successful author, with a history.  Leslie Caron plays Suzanne, Roxeanne's mother-in-law and there are several other members of the husband's family, his girl friend's family and the two sister's family that become involved.  Toss in some lawyers, art critics, museum curators and there is quite a lot going on.  However, all of this is fairly easy to follow.  As we near the end of the story, there is a defining climactic event, which is possible, but feels contrived and a financial resolution, which is exciting but not entirely clear.  Regardless, I think it's certainly above average as film entertainment for its genre.

Diane Johnson, the author, divides her time between living in Paris and living in San Francisco.  So her knowledge of Paris, its cultures and its fashions contributes to this story, which is all set in Paris.  Fortuitously, just before I watched this DVD, there was a PBS special by Rick Steves on touring Paris, so I spent a vicarious entire evening in Paris.  

Note that the characters depicted were not those folks who travel coach class.  In addition to the beautiful clothes and expensive shops, watch for a $900 gourmet evening meal and a 'Kelly' purse, street price, $6,000. 

Reviewed March 6, 2005.

MPAA: Rated PG-13 for mature thematic elements and sexual content.