Von Liebe und Bedauern

I recently saw this at the 2010 Palm Springs International Film Festival. This a film about romantic obsession between two forty-something former lovers. Mathieu Liévan (Yvan Attal) is a successful architect in the city and in business with his wife Lisa (Arly Jover) who returns to his rural hometown to visit his dying mother. He sees his former girlfriend Maya (Valeria Bruni Tedeshi) who has moved back there from Africa with her daughter from a previous marriage and new husband Franck (Phillip Katerine). Mathieu and Maya soon resume their long lost love with an illicit affair. These two really know how to push each others buttons for both good and bad. This film is a little far fetched at times but it keeps your interest because you never know which way the story might turn and it keeps you guessing as multiple situations arise. Written and directed by Cedric Kahn it features a powerful music score from multiple Oscar nominee and prolific film and television composer Phillip Glass. Also features the 1965 recording of Nina Simone "Sinnerman" that viewers will find familiar as it's opening bars are featured in the current television commercial campaign for HTC mobile phones. It kind of comes out of nowhere in the middle of the film and doesn't really add to the flow of the film. A fine cast and nice performances although the roles of the husband and daughter could have been more developed. I had a few problems with this film but would still recommend it and give it a 7.0 out of 10.