214. On A Magical Night (Chambre 212); movie review

ON A MAGICAL NIGHT (CHAMBRE 212)
Cert TBA
87 mins
BBFC advice: TBA

I am really looking forward to going back to the cinema because I don't know how long I can put up with a constant diet of arty movies which would have been box office also-rans.
I am sure those who were behind On A Magical Night thought it was clever and amusing.
Well, Mrs W gave up on it after 30 minutes - the second time she has walked out on a film in two days.
During Coronavirus lockdown she has discovered that there are much more entertaining propositions on Netflix or Amazon Prime than Christophe Honoré's film.
Of course, for the sake of the everyfilm quest, I stuck it out but have to confess that I found it thin on entertainment.
On A Magical Night stars Chiara Mastroianni as a serial adulterer who has no remorse when her husband of 20 years (Benjamin Biolay) confronts her.
Indeed, she protests that seeking lust elsewhere is normal given that their relationship has been passionless for some time.
Thus, she decides to leave, moving into the hotel opposite the marital home so she can gather her thoughts.
And that is when the craziness begins with figures from her past appearing during one bizarre night.
I rarely find romantic comedies funny but this one was particularly wide of my funny bone because it has neither appealing characters nor premise.
Initially, I felt sorry for the husband but, after a while, it becomes clear that he is hopelessly lacking gumption.
Meanwhile, the adulterer is unapologetically selfish and yet we are meant to empathise with her.
From the opening scenes when Mastroianni appears naked from behind a curtain in a student's flat, it is clear this a movie of buttocks and breasts.
As admirable as many of them are - they aren't enough to sustain a near-90-minute movie.


Reasons to watch: Offbeat comedy
Reasons to avoid: Devoid of laughs

Laughs: None
Jumps: None
Vomit: None
Nudity: Yes
Overall rating: 4/10

Did you know? The typical Parisian has had 19 sexual partners, a far cry more than than the national average of 11. according to a survey carried out by respected pollsters Ifop, on behalf of dating site CAM4.

The final word.  Christophe Honoré: "I wrote the film for Chiara Mastroianni and I imagined her as a Cary Grant-type character. I found that that particular form of acting, which is very precise and highly amusing, suited her well." Cineuropa

Share this post