Deception (2022)
Deception
”A famous writer in exile in London navigates relationships with women, exploring themes of literature, antisemitism, and remaining true to oneself.”
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Why watch this film?
Adaptation of the novel 'Tromperie' by writer Phillip Roth, this is the French version by director Arnaud Desplechin and was part of the Cannes Festival 2021 selection. The movie follows Phillip (Denis Podalydès), an American writer living in London (who only speaks French) and his relationships with various women. Co-starring with him we have Léa Seydoux, who plays an unhappy married Englishwoman who has an affair with the writer. As we get to know each of the women, it becomes clear that they are just bodies used to attract the ego of the central character, who has a total lack of awareness of his mistreatment, which is disconcerting. The plot also discusses sexism and misogyny in a very problematic way. It's palatable to say that this is a pretentious adaptation that completely reduces the female characters to suffering, irrational women who seek a man to be saved. Seydoux's performance is a reason to watch the movie, but even that can't save a script that uses misogyny as its main thread.
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Plot summary
Philip is a famous American writer living in exile in London. His mistress comes regularly to see him in his office, a refuge for the two lovers. They make love, argue, reconcile, and talk for hours—about the women who mark out his life, sex, antisemitism, literature, and remaining true to oneself.
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