Sophia (Magalie Lépine Blondeau) lives in Montreal with her long-term partner, Xavier (Francis-William Rhéaume). Sophia is a full-time philosophy professor determined to repair and renovate their country house in her spare time. To help with the extensive renovations needed to improve the property’s condition, she hires Sylvain (Pierre-Yves Cardinal). But as Sylvain works on the country house, romance and passion ignite between him and Sophia. Sophia decides to embark on a secret love affair that fulfils her deepest desires, including thrilling encounters and the feeling of being cherished. She keeps this affair hidden from everyone, including her long-term partner, Xavier. Sophia’s life is filled with joy, pleasure, and love for the first time in a long while.
However, the question looms: what will Sophia do long-term? Will she continue to keep this new affair a secret? Will she choose to run away with Sylvain? Or will she end the affair and return to her life with Xavier?
The Nature of Love is primarily a romance and drama film. However, depending on individual tastes, many viewers may also find elements of comedy in it. The film follows Sophia as she faces personal challenges and shares in the various struggles of her friends. It is directed by Monia Chokri, who has also worked on films such as Babysitter (2022) and A Brother’s Love (2019).
I have a lot of praise for this film. Firstly, it is brilliantly directed, and the dramatic elements are presented exceptionally well. I found watching Sophia seek fulfilment in various aspects of her life, including friendship, romance, and desire, compelling. Although Sophia makes questionable choices in her relationships, you can’t help but hope for a positive outcome for her by the end of the film. Furthermore, the film features a significant amount of unpredictability, both in its conclusion and throughout the various plot points and entirely unexpected dramatic twists.
The dialogue is spot-on, creating a strong sense of realism in the conversations among the leading characters. However, the pacing is slow, especially in the third act, which I felt began to drag. Some of the moments where Sophia makes a poor choice, triggering a chain of events, also feel tedious.
Overall, The Nature of Love is a compelling drama and romance film that explores the power of attraction at first sight and the challenges of maintaining that connection over time. The dialogue feels realistic, natural, and authentic. Additionally, the film is well-directed and visually appealing, taking viewers on an engaging and unpredictable journey. The performances are outstanding. However, the third act tends to drag, and specific character choices can be tedious or frustrating to watch. Despite these drawbacks, the film carries significant weight, and depending on your preferences, you might also appreciate its comedic and playful elements.
7.9/10
5th November 2024
Written by Peter Walkden
THANK YOU FOR VISITING!
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