French Cinema

Francois Ozon's "Dans la Maison" (2012) has everything we have come to expect from French cinema: subversive sex and exquisite interiors. Fabrice Luchini plays Germain, a nondescript, somewhat disillusioned French literature teacher, who becomes dangerously obsessed with his student, the 16 year old Claude (Ernst Umhauer). The obsession is based on the voyeuristic tales Claude drip-feeds his teacher. Even when it is clear to all the seriousness of the situation, Germain is unable to disentagle himself and risks losing everything for a story. This film, which is on Netflix, is worth seeing alone for the gorgeous interiors of the compact apartment Germain shares with his wife Jeanne (Kirstin Scott-Thomas). It's all lacqeur, art and books.

Classic Read

Apparently, Sex and The City was envisioned as an updated version of this biting 1963 look at the lives of 8 female friends making their way in 1930's New York, from graduation to motherhood and beyond. This novel manages to be both funny and moving. The central characters are apparently based on McCarthy's actual friends and acquaintances. Some of whom stopped speaking to her upon publication! The character of Kay is particularly well-drawn. Kay is supremely confident but the reader can see what Kay cannot and is left reeling from the downward spiral her life takes.