Simple Passion () is a 2020 erotic drama film written and directed by Danielle Arbid, based on the 1992 autobiographical novel of the same name by Annie Ernaux. The plot follows a divorced university professor (Lætitia Dosch) who begins an intense affair with a younger, married diplomat (Sergei Polunin).
The film had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on 19 September 2020 as part of the Industry Selects program. It was released theatrically on 11 August 2021 in France by Pyramide Distribution and in Belgium by O'Brother Distribution. The film received mixed reviews from critics, who criticised Arbid's screenplay, Polunin's performance and the soundtrack, but praised Dosch's performance and the cinematography.
Plot
Literature professor and divorced mother Hélène lives in the Paris suburbs with her preteen son, Paul. She begins a passionate affair with Alexandre, a younger, married Russian diplomat stationed at the Russian Embassy that she met at a party in Porto. The two regularly meet for afternoon trysts at her house. Alexandre, who is usually cold and evasive, only visits Hélène when it suits him and instructs her to never contact him, especially when he goes away to spend time with his wife. She often finds herself waiting to hear from him, and over time, she becomes increasingly obsessed with him.
Hélène's best friend and confidant, Anita, believes that their affair is doomed to fail, since Alexandre is married and will return to Russia, while suggesting that Hélène is "in love with love itself". When Alexandre announces he will be away for a few weeks with his wife, Hélène takes a reluctant Paul on an impromptu trip to Florence. While visiting a church alone, she cries and is consoled by a stranger. Back in Paris, Hélène receives a call from Alexandre, asking to meet. After sex, they have a brief argument when he berates her for wearing a short skirt.
Alexandre occasionally shares personal details about himself with Hélène, telling her about his parents and revealing that he lives on Tverskaya Street in Moscow. In a subsequent encounter, Hélène professes her love for Alexandre during intercourse, though he does not respond. Shortly afterwards, when Alexandre again tells Hélène not to contact him as he will be away with his wife, she begs him to stay, but her behaviour annoys him and he leaves. Following a conversation with Anita, who reprimanded Hélène for being too submissive to Alexandre, Hélène refuses to let him in during his next visit, but she is unable to resist him and the two make out.
After not hearing from Alexandre for a while, Hélène decides to call the embassy and he arranges to meet her in a hotel room the following day. When he fails to show up, she phones his office, but is informed that he has returned to Moscow. She subsequently sinks into depression, to the point of neglecting Paul and her work commitments. Hélène's ex-husband, who stops by to collect Paul, harshly reminds her of her responsibilities as a mother. During a session with her psychiatrist, she confesses that she flew to Moscow for a day, roaming around Tverskaya Street in hopes of running into Alexandre.
Eight months later, Hélène watches Paul play football, having seemingly regained control of her life. One night, she is surprised when Alexandre calls her to announce he is coming by. In order to be alone with him, she quickly sends Paul to stay at a friend's house for the night. After they have sex, Hélène offers to drive Alexandre back to his hotel. En route, she wonders if they will see each other again, presuming that their affair is over. Upon arriving at the hotel, he calls her "my love" and goes inside. A teary-eyed Hélène watches as Alexandre disappears from sight, then leaves.
Cast
Lætitia Dosch as Hélène
Sergei Polunin as Alexandre
Lou-Teymour Thion as Paul
Caroline Ducey as Anita
Grégoire Colin as Hélène's ex-husband
Slimane Dazi as psychiatrist
Production
Principal photography for the film began on 19 January 2019 and concluded on 5 March of that year, with filming taking place in Paris and the surrounding region, as well as in Lyon, Florence and Moscow.