Although its title in the original French translates as "A World Without Pity", the amended LOVE WITHOUT PITY is, at the very least, appropriate as this is clearly a story of love, with an emphasis upon its most romantic components: elemental passion, fidelity, unbridled insecurity, and physical enchantment. Director Eric Rochant skillfully treats these ingredients in singularly perceptive fashion, converting his own screenplay into a thoroughly interesting piece as he creates an atmosphere of naturalism amid intricate relationships of Parisian characters of whom the City itself is a principal. Hippolyte Girardot plays as Hippo, an unemployed man living with his younger brother who is supporting them by selling drugs, while the unaspiring Hippo, a postmodern type of Existentialist, devotes most of his time to loafing about, and the seduction of women for whom he has no actual concern or interest. His indolent life is altered when he meets Nathalie (Mireille Perrier), a beautiful and industrious graduate student who falls prey to Hippo's ardent blandishments, and as their relationship nears a decisive point of potential compromise, each must make a decision that will affect both of their futures. Rochant's scripting and direction astutely depict the interlaced lives of the lovers, convincingly detailing changes that the pair undergoes during the course of the affair of the heart, while a cleverly crafted score from Gérard Torikian and creative interior designing by Thierry François add to this most pleasing film, merely one from a time burnished tradition of French romantic works. The entire cast performs capably, Girardot being obviously engaged with his role, while the expressive Perrier earns the acting laurels here for her nuanced performance as an intelligent woman whose intensity of feeling for her lover propels her into conflict with her established judgement, and towards a most satisfactory climax.
Review of Love Without Pity
