François (André Dussollier) and Annie (Sabine Azéma) are a happily married elderly couple. François, still deeply in love with Annie, reveals that he has written a song for her birthday, which they are celebrating surrounded by their children and several grandchildren. When one of their sons announces that another grandchild is on the way, François decides it’s finally time to clear out the upstairs attic. With more grandchildren expected, they need the additional space for future family gatherings.
While going through various old boxes, François stumbles upon a letter addressed to Annie. To his shock, the letter is sexually explicit and filled with details suggesting that Annie, his wife of forty years, had an affair with another man named Boris (played by Thierry Lhermitte) while still married to François. When François confronts Annie about it, she seems baffled and uncertain about what he is referring to. However, she soon remembers the incident and dismisses it, claiming it was a mistake she chose to keep secret for the sake of their wonderful marriage and their children. Annie also recalls that the affair lasted only a month before it came to an end.
Despite Annie’s attempt to dismiss the situation, François cannot let it go. He feels that he has always fought for her honestly and loyally, so he now feels deeply betrayed. That night, François refuses to sleep in the same room as Annie. His frustration grows until François makes a resolute decision: drawing on his experiences as an ex-general, he wants to confront the man who slept with Annie, especially since he was aware that she was a married woman. François packs his bags and plans a road trip to the French Riviera, fuelled by thoughts of vengeance against Boris.
Before he leaves, Annie expresses her desire to join him, suggesting that the trip could be an opportunity to reconnect and relive old memories. François reluctantly agrees, and the two set off together. As they travel, questions loom: Will François seek revenge? Will he pursue a divorce due to Annie’s past infidelity, or will he choose to forgive her and strive for a path to happiness?
Riviera Revenge is a comedy film that incorporates elements of drama and features a hint of romance. The story focuses on the complexities of a long-term marriage. It is written and directed by Ivan Calbérac, who is known for his previous works, including Venice Call (2019), The Student and Mr. Henri (2015), and The Tasting (2019).
The premise of a husband discovering that his wife once cheated on him may sound dramatic, but in this story, it’s approached in a light-hearted and playful manner. A great example of this is when François refuses to go to bed with his wife, Annie, and instead attempts to sleep on an old, broken mattress. This situation quickly spirals out of control as François makes a discovery that turns his world upside down. As the story unfolds, further revelations escalate the chaos, all played for comedic effect. The humour is especially enjoyable with François’s character, who tries to exact revenge while keeping his emotions in check. His reactions add to the comedy, and it’s amusing to see Annie remain calm and collected even when François makes shocking discoveries. I also wanted to highlight the chemistry between André Dussollier and Sabine Azéma, and they convincingly portray a couple with a long history together. Their dialogue throughout the film is excellent.
When the storyline is focused on the relationships between François and Annie, it is at its most engaging, and I was invested in whether their marriage would survive by the end. However, the multiple subplots distract from the main story. While some of these subplots are entertaining, they take up too much runtime. Subplots surrounding François’ relationship with his children are acceptable, I would have preferred they took less screen time, keeping the focus on François and Annie, as that is where the most interesting and engaging part of the film lies.
Overall, Riviera Revenge takes what should be a sad and shocking concept and transforms it into a playful, even slightly silly, comedy with a touch of romance. The story progresses from bad to worse for the main characters. Still, the film succeeds primarily due to the chemistry between its two leads and the engaging conversations they share throughout the narrative. Unfortunately, some subplots, while entertaining, consume too much time and detract from the more exciting central storyline. Nevertheless, I found myself eager to discover how everything would ultimately unfold after various reveals.
Riviera Revenge (2024) will be Available in Australian Cinemas from June 26th, thanks to Potential Films!
Published: 16th June 2025
Written by: Peter Walkden
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