Sarkozy-era socioeconomic tensions form the backdrop for romantic entanglement and disintegration in A Burning Hot Summer,
Philippe Garrel’s laconic portrait of two couples striving to stay
together. Painter Frédéric (Louis Garrel) and his actress wife, Angèle
(Monica Bellucci), invite struggling actor Paul (Jérôme Robart) and his
girlfriend Elisabeth (Céline Sallette) to Rome for the summer, only to
involve them in their imploding relationship, brought about by past
infidelities and Frédéric’s aloof, domineering attitude. Tonally
complemented by the Velvet Underground legend John Cale’s
moody score, Garrel’s direction—exhibiting a fondness for long
takes—has a charged tranquility that imbues the proceedings with edgy
energy even when the plot fumbles around with superfluous asides (like
Elisabeth’s sleepwalking) or emphasizes its political divides too
starkly via the differing worldviews of fat cat Frédéric and socialist
pseudo-revolutionary Paul.
Director: Philippe Garrel
Writers: Marc Cholodenko (scenario),
Philippe Garrel (scenario)
Stars: Monica Bellucci, Louis Garrel and Céline Sallette
Loosely evoking Godard's Contempt, A Burning Hot Summer examines the
once-happy marriage between brooding painter Frédéric (Louis Garrel)
and his movie-star wife Angèle (Bellucci) as it hits the rocks. When
another young couple-actors Paul (Jérôme Robart) and Elisabeth (Céline
Sallette)-joins them on a Roman holiday, tensions and passions flare.
The film features a score by the Velvet Underground's John Cale, with
the legendary Maurice Garrel (the director's father) in his final role.
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