Rive droite, rive gauche

A slightly unusual role for Gérard Depardieu in that he plays Paul, an energetic and successful young lawyer. Among his clients is Pervillard (Bernard Fresson) a rich and powerful company president, and it's while he's working for him that Paul meets a young lady, Sacha (Nathalie Baye) who Pervillard has fired for not cooperating with his sexual advances.

Even though he is married, Paul falls heavily for Sacha and risks his career by making her case public and the two of them begin an affair. When Paul's wife becomes aware of what is happening, the sparks begin to fly.

Like so many French movies, this is carefully paced rather than hurtling towards a conclusion; it needs to be savoured in order to be properly enjoyed. But, when the leading actors are as able as these four, it is more than worthwhile.