Claire develops a close bond with her best friend's husband, while helping him create a female persona named Virginia, which leads to confusing and conflicting feelings in Claire, and causes a rift between her and her husband.
While there is occasional delight of artful satire, fanciful farce, psychological undercurrent and political breadth, it soon becomes evident, as the intricate subplots and subtexts unfold, Ozon has rather overstretched himself again.
A strong thematic undercurrent pits bourgeois social conventions against authentic self-definition and ultimate freedom to live without shame or undue social limitations.
Although at times amorphously told and genre non-specific - Dark comedy? Soapy drama? DePalma-esque thriller? - the film holds interest as it often defies expectation and juggles its bold, complex emotions.
t's tempting to call this film a dark comedy-it is after all based on a novel by author Ruth Rendell-but for all the wit (and there is plenty) there is very little darkness in this playful psychological drama.
A wildly entertaining work, one that manages to be simultaneously funny, touching, slightly unnerving and undeniably sexy to behold, regardless of where your predilections may lie.
Arguably reminiscent of 'camp' Ozon entries like Angel and 8 Women, this has good enough work from Duris, but is truly saved by the lovely and lively Demoustier.
Jason Bailey
Flavorwire
May 03, 2016
Ozon, perhaps not entirely purposely, addresses the very timely issue of trans and non-binary gender identity, yet he does it within the framework of his usual style and preoccupations - and shortchanges neither.
