Lillian Steiner is a psychiatrist living and practicing psycho-therapy in Paris. Although American, she was married to a Parisian from whom she is now divorced, and together they have a son, and brand-new grandson. When Paula, one of her long-standing patients dies, seemingly from suicide, she is shocked, gradually finding clues that lead her to believe that she was actually murdered. Along the way she questions her own relationship with her client, and her own ability to truly listen to others.
With A Private Life, director and writer Rebecca Zlotowski has taken a tried-and-true trope, “was it suicide?” and crafted around it a satisfying cinematic experience which delves into the nature of memory, the intricacies of love, and the complexities of family. It explores the stories which we tell ourselves (and our therapists…), and poses questions about the narratives with which we construct lives, both our own, and those of others. Two other writers also worked on the screenplay: Anne Berest and Gaëlle Macé. It is within this triad that perhaps things went a little awry. Although there is a fairly strong spine to the script, it is cluttered with too many ideas, and too many random characters who don’t add anything. There are almost three different narratives fighting with each other for dominance over the film, and that is messy to witness. This also tends to release the suspense too often when it should have been maintained.
Starring as Steiner is the impeccable Jodie Foster. Alongside her as the ophthalmologist ex-husband and occasional lover is French stalwart Daniel Auteuil. The delicious, authentic, and humorous chemistry between these two helps carry the film. In the small but pivotal role of Paula is ethereal actor Virginie Efira. Rounding out the main cast are the ubiquitous Mathieu Amalric as Paula’s widower, and Luàna Bajrami as Paula’s daughter.
A Private Life is an unfailingly enjoyable film, with moments of intense psychological reward. It does try to do and say too much, but then that is always preferable to a work which does and says too little. Foster and Auteuil are worth the price of admission alone, and the whole work is generally a joy to watch, and the crisp dialogue a joy to listen to. One just can’t help noticing the much better film that is inside here, waiting for a pair of scissors to bring it forth.
Reviewed by Tracey Korsten
Rating 4 out of 5
Distributor: Sony Pictures
An enjoyable, suspenseful, and witty, psychological thriller.
