I admit I had to check the listings once or twice to verify that this wasn't a Bresson film: the lack of involvement as the actors delivered their lines seemed to be Benoît Jacquot's way of paying tribute to the master. Therese Liotard has never been quieter, playing the bedridden mother. Judith Godrèche as the daughter hardly ever cracks a smile, even though there are some funny moments in this very short feature.
When Mom asks Beth to go to the doctor's house for the medicine, she knows she's the sexual prey, yet the idea doesn't seem to affect her one way or the other. I really wanted to know what was going on behind that slender, pretty face. The encounter with Alphonse, the knife fetishist, should have perked her up, instead she goes to sleep. I sympathize with all the viewers who complained about the lack of passion in the storytelling, it got me down too.
When Mom asks Beth to go to the doctor's house for the medicine, she knows she's the sexual prey, yet the idea doesn't seem to affect her one way or the other. I really wanted to know what was going on behind that slender, pretty face. The encounter with Alphonse, the knife fetishist, should have perked her up, instead she goes to sleep. I sympathize with all the viewers who complained about the lack of passion in the storytelling, it got me down too.