Emmanuel Mouret’s second feature film is set in the director’s hometown: hot, summery Marseille. Venus and Fleur (2004) premiered globally at the Cannes Quinzaine des réalisateurs. The same atmosphere of flirting, moody heartbreak and endless speculation that encompasses Éric Rohmer’s Comedies and Proverbs series also embraces this film.
However, reference points even to medieval and Renaissance literature can also be found in the film in the extent of which Mouret’s characters are linked to their metaphorical names and their definitions. Isabelle Pirès, in her only film role, is the shy young Fleur (‘Flower’), who is either very naive or very discreet. Fleur’s lonesome holiday is brightened up by the Russian seductress Vénus (Veroushka Knoge). The two young women are quite different, but they have a shared goal for the summer: to find a cute guy and fall in love. And there are plenty of guys to choose from, with Dieu (‘God’) living next door and Bonheur (‘Happiness’) joining the group. Soon, conflicts are striking everywhere from phone booths to the beach.
Venus and Fleur is a nostalgic summertime comedy of mistakes, set in that age where young, sexy charmers are still mysteries to each other and to themselves.
Tytti Rantanen