“I tire rather quickly of people.”
In the French film La Discrete, Antoine (Fabrice Luchini) is a would-be novelist. Antoine is at loose ends after a sudden break-up with his long-time girlfriend, Solange, and he mentions to his friend, Jean, that he wants revenge. Jean, a bookseller, and a publisher of erotica suggests that Antoine select, seduce, and dump a random woman. Jean encourages Antoine to keep a diary of the affair–with the intention of seeking publication of all the salacious details.
Antoine, who is a bit of a misogynist, considers this an excellent idea. With Jean’s coaching, he creates an advertisement for a typist. The applicant will become the victim of Antoine’s plan, and she will also be the protagonist of the diary-form novel.
Antoine speculates about the woman who will respond to his ad. He is severely disappointed when shy, skinny, quiet Catherine applies. Of course, on one hand, she seems the perfect victim. But on the other hand, Antoine finds Catherine rather too plain. He tends to fall for flashier women. Antoine, however, goaded by Jean, proceeds with the plan….
Naturally, many moral questions arise as the film develops. Antoine has an agenda, and he already has a chip on his shoulder. Thanks to the deliciously clever script, Antoine–who could easily be perceived as an unlikable rogue–seems way out of his depth. Catherine is so quiet, controlled, and self-contained, Antoine begins to wonder if she possesses hidden depths of licentiousness. Fabrice Luchini plays the role of Antoine–he’s an incredibly talented actor–usually playing supporting roles which capitalize on his intellectualism. In La Discrete Antoine fancies himself as a ladies’ man, he considers himself far more sophisticated than Catherine–whom he labels “provincial.” Catherine–both the object and the prize–is nonetheless a sentient being with very strong ideas. Antoine objectifies Catherine as he pursues his less-than-admirable goal, but he also objectifies Manu–Jean’s unattractive lumbering assistant. Antoine’s self-centeredness seems to disallow consideration of others, but his relationship with Catherine causes him to gain the introspection he never knew he lacked. La Discrete is a prime example of all that’s best in French film–fine acting combined with an extraordinarily clever and provocative script that provides much food for thought. Antoine says, “there are certain encounters, dates, moments that mark you forever.” Directed by Christian Vincent.
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