Cockles & Muscles (2004)

Director

• Olivier Ducastel
• Jacques Martineau

Starring

• Gilbert Melki
• Jean-Marc Barr
• Edouard Collin
• Romain Torres
• Sabrina Seyvecou

Last On

00:00-01:30 Fri 4th Feb 2011 90m
BBC4

Synopsis

Directors Olivier Ducastel and Jacques Martineau combine the charm of Eric Rohmer (Claire's Knee) with the sauciness of Roger Vadim (Barbarella) in this delightful sexual romp, which makes splendid use of both its Côte d'Azur locations and its engaging ensemble cast. However, while the emphasis is supposed to be on teenager Romain Torres's holiday crushes on best pal Edouard Collin and local plumber Jean-Marc Barr, it's Valéria Bruni-Tedeschi who effortlessly steals the film. Her effervescent display of liberated sensuality shimmers - whether she's singing pop songs with son Torres, questioning husband Gilbert Melki's increasingly furtive behaviour or cycling off for assignations on the beach with her lover, Jacques Bonnaffé. Consequently, the gay plotlines tend to be confined to the villa shower, although when the co-directors do get round to tying up the loose ends, they make a neat job of it.