Four Lovers (2010) User Reviews

Shows that polyamorous relationships can work...for a while

[mfoxartist · 7/10 · 26 September 2023]

The fact that two couples could switch partners for a time and then come back to their original partner (without holding a grudge forever) demonstrates a particular mindset and emotional maturity that many simply don't have. These four adults do, and the escapades that they enjoyed eventually came to an end. Franck and Teri get into it a bit more seriously than Vincent and Rachel, and that seriousness proved too much for Rachel to bear any longer. But for a time, she enjoyed herself too.

The acting, cinematography and direction were excellent and very naturalistic. I didn't have the mindset to have made this work when I was married (and we never even thought of trying), but it was enlightening to see both the joys and inevitable troubles that polyamory brings to the most open and honest relationships.

Vincent and Teri and Franck and Rachel

[jotix100 · 5/10 · 7 March 2013]

Remember Paul Mazursky's 1969 film "Bob and Carol and Ted and Alice"? That was a tame attempt to bring up the subject of partner swapping, or a foursome play in bed. This French film "Simple Few" does not leave anything to the imagination. It is an 'in your face' account of two couples who decide to switch positions with a willing the opposite member of the quartet. When it comes to telling like it is, leave it to the French to deal with the matter without shame, or guilt.

Rachel, the jewelry designer, gets aroused when Vincent, a web designer goes to visit her in preparation to take the product on line. That encounter leads to a friendly dinner at Franck and Rachel's apartment, where Franck offers to massage Teri's back; she is a former Olympic gymnast suffering from pains. It is clear to everyone they are mature enough to handle whatever happens, so the arrangement is uncomplicated enough until Teri discovers Rachel's diary in which she discovers how the arrangement came into place.

Antony Cordier, the director of "Simple Few", or "Four Lovers" as it was released in some countries, would be accepted in spite of its explicit sexual context. The screenplay was written by the director and Julie Peyr and it tackles its subject without any taboos. The sex in the film, although fake, is made to appear like the real thing. It is basically of the straight variety with the exception of a session where the two women go at each other with relish. No such thing occurs between the men. Roschdy Zem is a bit more careful in showing what he has, but Nicolas Duvauchelle lets it all hang out. Marina Fois and Elodie Bouchez act without inhibition.

There is a ridiculous scene in which the two couples have two sacks of flour fall all over them and then proceed to have sex on the floor. After the session, the foursome go into a nearby watering place to get cleaned. One can only guess what thrill they derived from being coated in flour.

... does one's viewpoint change over time

[bjarias · 7/10 · 29 November 2021]

... so does watching this film make more couples say ... no not ever ... yea sounds good ... both ... or not for all of them ... was it something already thought about ... or truly never entered my mind ... for some they might watch with caution

... sexually fascinated by any-all of them or not ... few will not be made to think-consider the film's implications ... speculate on another couple you might consider.

Frank French

[JohnDeSando · 17 April 2012]

"Physical infidelity is the signal, the notice given, that all fidelities are undermined." Katherine Anne Porter

Polyamory is tricky for the best of lovers, so put two couples into mate-swapping, with kids in the mix and professions pushing time limits, and you have a perfectly French sex drama not easy on anyone involved.

Oh, in Four Lovers it's initially easy enough, as attractive as the principals are and as conducive the circumstances: Vincent (Nicolas Duvaunchelle), a blonde boy/man with tattoos and Web designing occupation, connects with Rachel (Marina Fois), a boutique jeweler; her husband, Franck (Roschdy Zem), is a coffee-table erotic book writer/photographer, who through deft massaging connects with Vincent's Teri, a former Olympic gymnast of half American blood. Sensuality abounds through most of the film with no apparent jealousy as everyone knows what's up. Only when the kids need attention or a diary is read does the edginess of this hanky-panky surface. And then it's all still very much subdued. It's unusual not to witness crying and shouting as the inevitable challenges arise. But then it's discomforting not to have discourse among the principals about their infidelities. The film's so cool as to be almost passionless.

Unlike Mike Nichols' Closer, starring Julia Roberts and Clive Owen, which has a similar situation with four acquaintances unfaithful to each other, Closer has a decidedly US/Brit clandestine, guilt cast to it. But it is full of witty dialogue that helps us deconstruct their astonishing selfishness and disregard for feelings.

I had assumed the French Four Lovers approach would be the opposite: open, relaxed, sensitive, sensual, and surviving. I was right: It's a different world from the Catholic one I grew up in, but it seems the same demons show up in different disguises.

Even the French can't find this arrangement tenable over the long haul.

"I don't want to sell myself short. You hurt your spouse, not so much by the infidelity, but by the negative feelings about yourself that you bring home." Michael Zaslow

nothing new from the west front

[osmangokturk · 6/10 · 17 March 2018]

An french movie to explore the new dynamics of swinging in the modern times, where kids limits physical and mental freedoms.

Even though the movie try to depict a smooth experience of this adventure, it still contains many elements from the reality, like men being jealous about their "wives" and women being jealous about loosing their husband and staying alone.

The director is successful to show a rather plain picture how would it look like.

excellent

[rpuyasi-945-677914 · 10/10 · 25 October 2014]

I totally liked this film. The plot is superb and totally realistic.The plot reveals something most married man and woman dreams of. An open relationship which let each partners to have extramarital relationships without any strings. But is it actually possible? This awesome movie discuss about how such an relationship could effect their and their loved once lives. It is as complicated as any human relationship could be or even more. It could seem something beautiful at first; but it always makes a life immensely complicated. Actually almost unbearable. The film is a total beauty from the start to the end. Totally watchable. Every character is well built and the cast do a wonderful job by actually living in them. I can't imaging any better end for this movie other than it has. I am truly satisfied. My time didn't go waste.

Bittersweet Amorous Adventures

[georgioskarpouzas · 29 August 2011]

This is a good movie with a bold theme. The sexual entanglement of two married couples who practice swinging among themselves in a modern French middle-class setting, the initial euphoria succeeded by antagonism, irritation and the ending of this pact. Along with the bold erotic scenes, the parable of the "Prodigal Son" is narrated by a family patriarch during a meal, while there is a brief dialogue in English, in this French speaking movie. Actors and actresses support ably their roles, while the focus is more on the women than the men. In the end a memory remains more sweet than bitter for those involved. I dare say the same applies to viewers.