“Last Summer” makes you want to cringe and shout, “Stop you fools!”
We are introduced to Anne (Léa Drucker) as a lawyer counselling a minor client about the non-consensual sex she has suffered. Tell the truth she advises. The judge is well aware of the games defence counsel plays Anne says. Anne represents minors.
Anne is married to Pierre (Olivier Rabourdin) a successful but highly stressed-out corporate accountant. They have adopted twins and live a charmed upper middle-class lifestyle in suburbia.
The charm rapidly deteriorates when Pierre’s teenage son from a previous marriage, Theo (Samuel Kircher), arrives in the happy home. Theo is in trouble, yet again, for threatening one of his teachers.
Theo is rude, slovenly, manipulative, ungrateful, self absorbed, sullen and a thief. He seems topless most of the time. While in the midst of lovemaking with Pierre, Anne muses at 14 she had an obsession with a 33-year-old friend of her mother which both fascinated and disgusted her.
Matters progress rather quickly and Anne and Theo have a steamy relationship. It is winceable watching their walk into the quicksand of lust. Cover up, lying, hypocrisy and unbridled lust lead to riskier and more flagrant behaviour. I suppose we should take Anne’s comment she despises “normophiles” seriously as her behaviour is far from normal. As far as technicalities go Theo is a minor but obviously he is enjoying himself. His immaturity is evident by his total lack of discretion.
Pierre discovers the shenanigans and the shit hits the fan and issues of credibility and morality become weapons and despite convenience winning over justice sometimes lust is unstoppable.
Anne knows how to play games just like the defence counsel she criticizes.
Based on the Danish film “Queen of Hearts”.
Directed by Catherine Breillat.
You can watch the trailer here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLowz2jWzL0 .
Currently playing in theatre in Canada but elsewhere in the world available on Video/digitally.
RKS 2024 Film Rating 88/100.
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