July 17–24, 1997

movie shorts

Diary of a Seducer

recommended

Director Daniele Dubroux makes Kierkegaard's philosophical work Diary of a Seducer the centerpiece of a dark, romantic comedy. Claire (Chiara Mastroianni, Marcello's daughter) is the prey of two very different seducers: the plotting and goofy Sebastien (Mathieu Dubroux) and the messianic and mysterious Gregoire (Melvil Poupaud), who lends her a copy of Kierkegaard's book that works on the innocent girl like a love potion. Soon Claire is stopping by Gregoire's apartment at all hours of the night, discussing Goethe and Stendhal and getting to know his wacky coterie, which includes a histrionic grandmother (Micheline Presle), a suicidal philosophy professor (Serge Merlin) and a flighty friend who's hearing transmissions from outer space (Karen Viard). Claire's circle is not without its share of kooky characters. Her mother (Daniele Dubroux) falls for Sebastien and her psychologist (Hubert Saint Macary) becomes obsessed with his patient after she lends him Kierkegaard's book. Dubroux's intellectual tale can be dry at times, but mostly it's devoted to subtle moments of insight and humor that poke fun at the irrational process of possession. French with English subtitles.

—Neil Gladstone