Sex, Love & Therapy (Tu veux… ou tu veux pas?) contains about as much insight and laughs regarding love as a garden hose and a bread basket. This French rom-com is a superficial tale about a sex-obsessed man and woman who have to work together. It’s a complicated romantic situation but the script is simple and lightweight.
Lambert Levallois (Patrick Bruel (Paris Manhattan) is a disgraced former pilot and a recovering and celibate sex addict. He has also tried to reinvent himself as a marriage counsellor. He also requires an assistant and in walks Judith Chabrier (Sophie Marceau (The World Is Not Enough)). She is a siren, nymphomaniac who has just lost her job as a sales manager because she slept with all of her male clients. Despite an obvious lack of experience, Levallois hires the bombshell (who eventually proves to have a natural aptitude for the field). The logic Levallois used is that if he can reject his gorgeous colleague’s advances then he must be cured. Right? Wrong.
The story is a strange dance where the two fight large libidos and passion in a will they won’t they-type scenario. The film’s French title, Tu veux… ou tu veux pas? translates to “Do you want it or don’t you?” in English. The chemistry between the two leads is obvious and there are some quirky supporting characters but the script overall is full of clumsy dialogue, underdeveloped main characters and an overall lack of meat on the bones of this lightweight comedy.
This rom-com was written, produced and directed by Tonie Marshall and it shows a couple of well-dressed and cheeky people living in the land of love. But there is very little to save what is ultimately an underwhelming film. In short, this is a pleasant enough romp but audiences will leave feeling unsatisfied.
Review score: TWO STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Sex, Love And Therapy (Tu veux… ou tu veux pas?) is screening as part of the Alliance French Film Festival in Australian cinemas throughout March and April. For more information and tickets please visit the Official French Film Festival website.
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