Catherine Breillat has never failed to shock less impress audiences with her strong points of view in her past films.  Her films offer her female slant on sex and she has not been afraid of display of graphic sex on the screen.  From early works like 36 FILETTE, ROMANCE to my favourite A MA SOUER! (FAT GIRL), this director compromises nothing.

Her latest film, however, is a big budget piece set in Paris of the 19th century.  Think VALMONT territory.  Full of lavish costumes and sets and based on a period novel, UNE VIELLE MAITRESSE still has the Breillat feel with her long takes, sex scenes and lengthy dialogue segments.  The story starts with Ryno de Marigny (Fu’ad Aatou), a handsome libertine about to be married to naïve Hermangarde (Roxanne Mesquida).  THE LAST MISTRESS of the title refers to Vellini (Asia Aregnto) whom he has been seeing for the last 10 years.  Paris gossip and familial interference with revisits of the couple with sex and romance make up the delicious and naughty tail that allows Breillat to cast her erotic spell on her audience.

Breillat’s film debates the effects of love in a marriage.  The feminist view in this film is strong, as in her other films.  The difference her, unlike in many other films made by women, is that the male (in this case the Ryno and the other older character played by veteran Michel Lonsdale at the start) is the villain or prey that is not treated as a toy or bumbling idiot.  THE LAST MISTRESS is entertaining and at times thought provoking.  Though one might not always agree with the way Briellat thinks or puts on screen, one must give it to this lady for her conviction and diligence.