Curiosa

Set in late 19th-century Paris, Curiosa explores the tangled love triangle between poet Pierre Louÿs, his friend Henri de Régnier, and Henri's wife Marie. Directed by Lou Jeunet, the film stars Noémie Merlant as Marie, a woman caught between societal expectations and her own desires. Niels Schneider plays the libertine Louÿs, while Benjamin Lavernhe portrays the more conventional Henri. The story draws from real letters and diaries, focusing on the trio's erotic and artistic entanglements. With a runtime of 107 minutes, the drama unfolds against the backdrop of the Belle Époque, where sexual exploration clashed with rigid morals. Produced by Fidélité Films and Curiosa Films, the movie received mixed reviews. Its tone balances historical authenticity with sensual intimacy, though some critics found the pacing uneven. The film avoids grand historical events, instead zooming in on the private lives of these writers and their circle.

Lou Jeunet, daughter of filmmaker Jean-Pierre Jeunet, made her feature directorial debut with this project. She co-wrote the script with Raphaëlle Desplechin, drawing extensively from the actual correspondence of the three protagonists. The film's title references Louÿs's own collection of erotic poems and photographs. Noémie Merlant, who later gained acclaim for Portrait of a Lady on Fire, delivers a performance that anchors the film. The score by Arnaud Rebotini blends classical strings with subtle electronic elements, creating a modern anachronism. Filmed on location in Paris and the Île-de-France region, the production aimed for authentic period detail in its costumes and sets.[edit]

The film opens in the opulent salons of late 19th-century Paris, where poet Henri de Régnier (Benjamin Lavernhe) and his wife Marie (Noémie Merlant) maintain a respectable household. Henri's closest friend, Pierre Louÿs (Niels Schneider), is a charismatic libertine known for his erotic poetry and numerous affairs. Marie, intelligent and curious, feels stifled by the expectations of society wife. When Pierre visits, he immediately notices her restlessness and begins a seduction that is both intellectual and sensual, introducing her to erotic literature and photography.

Marie initially resists but is drawn into Pierre's world. They begin a passionate affair, which Henri, in a shocking move, appears to condone. Rather than forbidding it, he encourages the relationship, creating an unstable ménage à trois. Pierre uses Marie as his muse, photographing her in erotic poses and writing poetry inspired by their encounters. Marie discovers a new sense of agency, but the arrangement is fraught with jealousy. Henri's passive complicity masks a deep emotional wound, while Pierre's libertine philosophy is tested by his growing feelings for Marie.

The narrative follows their intertwined lives through lavish parties, intimate encounters, and quiet domestic tensions. Marie publishes her own poetry under a male pseudonym, while Pierre achieves fame with his work Les Chansons de Bilitis. The situation becomes unsustainable as each character must confront what they truly want from love and art, leading to a reckoning where the fragile fantasy of their arrangement collapses.[edit]