Les amants terribles: Messy people making bad choices

Is it worth your time?

Honestly, if you have any patience for people who talk way faster than they think, sure. This movie is basically a masterclass in bad decisions wrapped in fancy clothes.

If you prefer your characters to be likable or even remotely stable, you are going to absolutely hate this. It’s not for the faint of heart or the people who want a Hallmark ending.

The whole thing feels like you’ve been invited to a dinner party where the hosts are on the verge of a divorce. And honestly? I couldn't look away. It has that specific, frantic energy you find in older films like The Broadway Melody, but with way more shouting.

The Vibe

There is a scene near the middle where they just argue about nothing for what feels like a week. It’s brilliant, but also kind of exhausting. You can almost see the actors getting tired of each other, which I think is probably the point. Or maybe they just needed a snack.

It’s not trying to change the world. It’s just trying to show you how messy two people can be when they’re both too smart for their own good. It reminded me a bit of the chaos in A Quiet flirt, though obviously in a completely different language and with way more attitude.

Random Notes

• The lighting in the living room scenes is weirdly aggressive.
• I swear the butler is the only one with a brain cell.
• The dialogue is so sharp it’s practically dangerous.
• Gaby Morlay is doing a lot of heavy lifting here with just her eyebrows.

It’s a bit of a relic, but it has teeth. It doesn’t hold your hand. It just drops you in the middle of a disaster and expects you to keep up. I liked it better than The Golden Strain, which felt like it was trying way too hard to be profound.

There’s a part where someone breaks a vase—or maybe it was a lamp?—and the camera just stays on the shards for way too long. It was strangely hypnotic. Like, did the director forget to cut? Or were they just making a point about the fragility of love? Or maybe the prop guy was just really proud of the mess.

Anyway. It’s a good time if you like your drama served cold and with a side of wine. Don't overthink it. Just watch the train wreck happen. 🍷