Both Sides of the Blade ★★★½

JULIETTE Binoche and Vincent Lindon are titans of contemporary French cinema.

So it’s a joy to see them play a couple in Clair Denis’ latest film Both Sides of the Blade.

From the opening sequence of this romantic drama you can tell it’s going to be an acting masterclass. Their characters are enjoying a swim in the ocean and the authentic connection between two adults who are entirely comfortable with each other is palpable.

Sara and Jean have been married for about 10 years but don’t have children together. They live in a Paris apartment where Sara works as a radio presenter.

Jean is a former professional rugby player who spent time in prison due to finance-related crimes. He is trying to start a new career while struggling to connect with his teenage son Marcus, who still lives in the custody of his grandmother on Jean’s side.

One day, Sara glimpses her ex-partner François on the street and becomes emotional. Around the same time, François and Jean, who used to be close friends, reconnect and start working with each other developing a sports agency.

But the re-entry of Francois into their lives threatens the relationship.

There is nothing particularly ground-breaking about Denis’ film, but the honesty and rawness of the emotions displayed makes it a moving experience.

It seems only the French can regularly portray pure love on screen, the kind that impacts your total physical and mental being.

Binoche and Lindon wonderfully portray people that every mature, world-weary adult can relate to.

Denis won acclaim for her direction and regular collaborator Christine Angot wrote the beautiful script.