La Discrète

In this very Rohmer-esque film, Rohmer alumnus Fabrice Luchini is wonderfully cringesome as a literary dilettante who revenges himself on womankind by writing a seduction diary at the expense of a randomly chosen victim. The interest lies not so much in the predictable intrigue - it almost reads like a commonplace seduction comedy - as in the treatment of a particularly unpalatable strain of French amorous discourse. Seen from the perspective of Old World libertinage - the film drops its eighteenth century references liberally enough to tip you off - it takes issue with a tradition of socially-sanctioned nastiness. It is also perilously balanced on the quality of its performances: idiosyncratic new name Judith Henry, and Luchini displaying a fabulous repertoire of prissy tics and moues. If nothing else, see it for the way he answers the telephone.