By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 4.5 cats
Director: Francois Ozon
Starring: Anaïs Demoustier | Isild Le Besco | Raphaël Personnaz | Romain Duris
Original language title: Une Nouvelle Amie
Country: france
Year: 2015
Running time: 108
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3184934
Bruce says: “What happens when your BFF dies unexpectedly? From the age of seven Claire (Anaïs Demoustier) and Lea (Isild le Besco) were close, bonded by blood ritual. When Lea dies six months after giving birth to a little boy, Claire spirals into depression. David (Romain Duris), Lea’s husband, is not returning any calls. Claire and her husband (Raphaël Personnaz) are worried. In frustration, Claire decides to drop in on David to see how he and the baby are getting along. Walking into the living room she discovers a blond woman on the sofa with the baby. Startled the woman turns around and reveals herself. It is David in wig, dress and heels.
“David explains his cross-dressing fetish but Claire runs away. A friendship with David slowly evolves and eventually Claire takes him shopping dressed as a woman. When her husband catches her whispering to David during a phone call, Claire claims she is talking to her friend Virginia. Thus begins David’s new identity. Claire and Virginia become inseparable, kissing and hugging as
girlfriends do. It isn’t until David becomes amorous that Claire truly freaks out. Perhaps having a new girlfriend is more complicated than Claire thought.
“Franҫois Ozon (WATER DROPS ON BURNING ROCKS; IN THE HOUSE; SWIMMING POOL; UNDER THE SAND; 8 WOMEN has carved out quite a career. As of late he seems to be drifting into Chabrol territory with his ominous tales of the bourgeoisie. THE NEW GIRLFRIEND is clearly not one of his best films; however, it is very entertaining. Romain Duris, while hardly beautiful as a woman (he looks like an aged love child of Chloë Sevigny and Amélie Mauresmo), gives the role his all. Anaïs Demoustier is absolutely delightful. 3.5 cats
“(THE NEW GIRLFRIEND screened at the 2014 Toronto International Film
Festival.)”
Diane says: “…is much better than the trailer led me to believe.
“After her best friend Laura’s death, Claire has to figure out how to relate to Laura’s bereft husband, left with a six-month-old baby, and how much to involve her own husband.
“Anais Demoustier (Claire) will get an acting nom from me–she goes through a life-changing experience with many changes of heart, and most of the small cast is excellent. Other standout points are costume design and screenplay. More than other films of its ilk about gender and sexuality, Ozon’s screenplay takes a twisty path that is delightfully open to a myriad of possibilities.
“Flaw: caring for a baby seems to have very little impact on anyone’s time or home. It may be telling that the story this was adapted from (‘New Girl Friend’ by fabulous mystery/crime writer Ruth Rendell) has no baby.
“Turns toward melodrama at the end (and a little Hitchcockian), but characters stay interesting and unpredictable. 4 cats”
Thom says: “French director Ozon began his career with a pronounced flurry of terrific offerings. Beginning with SEE THE SEA (1997) he seemed to go from strength to strength with SITCOM, CRIMINAL LOVERS, WATER DROPS ON BURNING ROCKS, UNDER THE SAND, 8 WOMEN, & SWIMMING POOL, so much so that I thought he was one of Europe’s brightest talents. Then it seemed like his talent was wasting away on dross dramas and mediocre material. 5X2, TIME TO LEAVE, POTICHE, HIDEAWAY, ANGEL, RICKY, & YOUNG & BEAUTIFUL were all well-mounted but lifeless. I did quite like IN THE HOUSE & I’m thrilled to see him turn it completely around with this strong entry.
“The story richly reminds me of the young, great Canadian talent Xavier Dolan, especially his ground-breaking LAURENCE ANYWAYS. Claire is a young successful woman who has long been BFF with Laura who dies tragically young after giving birth to a daughter. While Claire is happily married to the handsome Gilles and has a life of her own she begins to worry about David, Laura’s husband, & the baby who has disappeared from her life. One day she stops by their house only to discover Virginia who has overtaken David’s persona. At first Claire is upset and has a very difficult time connecting with Virginia, even going so far as to not tell anyone else what’s going on. As she slowly comes around to embracing David/Virginia she starts to take her shopping for new clothes, giving her make-up advice. David apparently is not interested in a sex-change, nor does he have any interest in men sexually. So, the story is about the ever-changing relationship between Claire & David/Virginia. While the film has a firm sense-of-humour it’s never titillating. Romain Duris who plays David/Virginia you’ll remember from THE BEAT THAT MY HEART SKIPPED, RUSSIAN DOLLS, MOOD INDIGO, & CHINESE PUZZLE scores memorably once again. Melodrama at its
best. 5 cats”