David Kepesh (Kingsley) plays a bald 60-something professor of literature who has become aware of his mortality. Kepesh avoids the sexual harassment rules governing physical conduct between teacher and student by hosting a party for one and all of his adoring students only after results have been awarded ((ndash)) and then, in his home (a space that he entirely creates and controls), he sets about seducing the ripest young woman available.

This year, his sexual desires centre on long haired, beautiful, sensuous, curvaceous, 20-something Consuela Castillo (Cruz). With the help of a Kafka letter and some old-fashioned courtship Consuela finally falls in love with him. Kepesh's desires for Consuela become overwhelming ((ndash)) unlike previous physical relationships with former students, Kepesh falls in love with Consuela and as he realizes that she will want to find a younger man sooner rather than later, his obsession with her leads to jealousy, control, torment ((ndash)) the 60-something professor is acting like the 17-something high school kid. Consuela reacts to this obsession and his inability to commit beyond their private world by doing what Kepesh most fears ((ndash)) she leaves.

The movie ultimately leads into a point of reconciliation ((ndash)) and in a poignant twist, it is Consuela's mortality that brings them together again.

An enjoyable and recommended movie ((ndash)) if you go with your loved one, the themes are surely going to give you lots to talk about on the drive home.

When divorced bookseller Mathias (Lindon) moves to London to be closer to his daughter, his ex-wife decides to move back to France. Mathias moves in with fellow divorcee and old friend Antoine (Elb((eacute))) in a shared apartment in a French enclave (known as "Frog Alley"), so they can share child-minding duties. The consequences of this, including the establishment of house rules and the handling of Mathias' budding relationship with a sexy journalist (Ledoyen), are complicated to say the least.

If you have a fondness for amiable French films that light-heartedly take a look at modern relationship issues from a middle-class perspective, then chances are you will like this film. It is basically a Gallic take on The Odd Couple, and it comments on many of life's uncertainties with wryness and tenderness. And the presence of French regulars like Virginie Ledoyen (The Beach), who is both talented and easy on the eyes (there's just something about French women) makes it even better.

Me? I was a little bored by this film as it felt just a bit too smug about it's humour (which wasn't really saying anything that hasn't been explored in many English language films of the last 50 years or so). But then I have felt the same way about most of the French films I have seen this year (with the exception of JVCD), so don't let me discourage you from coming along to see it. (Besides, there's always Virginie.....)