La Belle Personne

In LA BELLE PERSONNE, Maverick French director Christophe Honoré recasts the machinations and hothouse atmosphere of the 17th-century French court in a 21st century French high school. Based on the novel “La Princesse de Clèves,” the film focuses on a 16-year-old girl named Junie who must start at a new school after the death of her mother. Her cousin Mathias introduces her to his friends, all of whom want to go out with her. She pledges herself to Otto Clèves, an intense boy who soon decides Junie's head is with him while her heart's with another. The reason for this is that the school's Italian teacher Nemours, not much older than the students themselves, has cast his eye on Junie and she returns his passion. She refuses to give in to her feelings and consummate their relationship, though, preferring to deny herself the happiness she's convinced is just illusory. LA BELLE PERSONNE stylishly captures the self-absorbed interpersonal world of adolescents, taking place almost entirely inside the lycée without a parent or outside influence in sight. The soundtrack, featuring haunting tunes by Nick Drake, captures the romantic intrigue and sexual tension familiar to teenagers everywhere. (In French with English subtitles) – B.B.