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Curiosa
2019 107 min France 18+
★5.5
Drama, History
Director: Lou Jeunet
Trailers
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EN
Description
A passionate love story set against a backdrop of sexual freedom, loosely based on the relationship between 19th century authors Pierre Louÿs and Marie de Régnier.
Starring
Noémie Merlant
Actor
Niels Schneider
Actor
Benjamin Lavernhe
Actor
Key opinion
Curiosa is a visually focused erotic period drama that emphasizes aesthetic composition and the portrayal of female desire over narrative substance. While some viewers appreciate its artistic sensibility and thematic exploration of 19th-century sexual politics, others find the script thin, the pacing rushed, and the modern stylistic choices jarring.
| Production | The film prioritizes a visually striking, painterly aesthetic and careful period production design that effectively evokes a 19th-century atmosphere. | |
| Originality | The erotic photography scenes are handled with a deliberate, non-pornographic focus that emphasizes the beauty of the female body rather than mere sexual stimulation. | |
| Score | The inclusion of a modern, electronic-influenced musical score is polarizing; some viewers find it an intriguing, transgressive bridge to contemporary themes, while others feel it violently clashes with the period setting. | |
| Screenplay | Opinions on the screenplay are divided between those who find the exploration of female agency and sexual emancipation compelling and those who view the character motivations as shallow and the plot as an underdeveloped, clichéd melodrama. | |
| Pacing | The editing and pacing are frequently criticized for being abrupt and rushed, failing to adequately bridge narrative gaps or provide smooth transitions between key events. | |
| Acting | While some critics praise the lead actors for their intensity and physical presence, others find the performances uneven and the characters lacking in depth. |