German actor Franz Rogowski opens the film as a somewhat unkind and rather abrupt movie director. He befriends and beds a woman at the wrap party, then goes home to tell his husband about his newfound love. This awkward and discordant triangle focuses primarily on Rogowski’s character, as he struggles between the 2 relationships. His nuanced performance is the film’s fulcrum, but Ben Whishaw (as the husband) and Adèle Exarchopoulos (the girlfriend) add even more depth. Director Ira Sachs has made appreciating their performances frustrating with his use of static camera placement, sometimes blocking faces. It’s also written with brief, often elliptical episodes. There are several sex scenes that are intense and naturalistic without being graphic. This is a complex, compelling drama about the realities and foibles of love and fidelity. 
(4 / 5)
