The English title _Low Profile_ turns out to be very appropriate (if awkward). Other than a newly adopted infant, every character exudes exemplary Gallic cool, seldom raising his/her voice. Even when Emmanuelle (Vanessa Paradis) slaps protagonist Yven (Denis Menochet), she does it with a smile. Ivan's daughters hate him for being unavailable since his wife has deserted them, but they act out their aggression in admirably dead pan, and decidedly French, manner (trying to have a baby with boyfriend known for only 6 days; distributing leaflets to foster a revolution in school). The wayward wife's young boy, whom she also abandons, is the coolest cat of all, never uttering a word the entire film. Everyone else speaks in the painfully reasonable, quiet voice of American National Public Radio hosts, even when they are dying of awkwardness inside, like at the lunch meeting where Emmanuelle tries in vain to seduce Ivan. Director Cecilia Rouaud may not have the most masterful visual composition skills, but strong scenes and images stand out -- particularly Paradis dressed as an egg, playing the clown. The scenes in which a 12-year-old school-girl profess her love of Ivan are priceless too. (He is a teacher.) Rouaud is also great with child actors. Not a great revelatory drama by any stretch of the imagination, but thoroughly enjoyable.
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