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5.8/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 5.8/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Affairs of Maupassant remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
If you like old-fashioned, stiff-upper-lip dramas where people stare longingly at stationery, you might find something to love here. But if you need a movie that moves with any sense of urgency, you should probably skip it. This isn't exactly The Storm in terms of intensity, that’s for sure.
It’s very much a film for people who like reading biographies while sitting in a dimly lit room. Everyone else? Probably going to get bored before the second act kicks in.
The chemistry between Lili Darvas and the rest of the cast feels like it’s being filtered through layers of lace and heavy curtains. There’s a scene where they’re talking about art or poetry, and I swear, I could hear the clock ticking on the wall. It’s not necessarily bad, but it feels extremely staged.
You can tell the director wanted it to feel sophisticated. Sometimes it just feels like the actors are afraid to trip over the furniture. The costumes are lovely, though, if you’re into that sort of thing.
I found myself wondering if they were going to actually say what they felt or if they were just going to keep writing letters until the credits rolled. Spoiler: there’s a lot of letter writing.
There is this one guy in the background—I think it’s S.Z. Sakall—who looks like he’s trying to figure out where he left his lunch in every single shot. It’s distracting, honestly. Maybe that’s just his face, but it added a weird layer of comedy that I don't think was intentional.
It’s not as chaotic as Roadhouse Queen, but the pacing is just as uneven in its own way. One moment is very quiet, the next someone is storming out of a room. It’s a bit jarring.
It’s not a masterpiece, but it’s not a total wash either. It’s just… there. Like a piece of furniture you don't really notice until you bump into it.
It reminded me a bit of the stuffy energy in Mothers of Men, just with more ink and less shouting. Take that as you will. 🖋️
