Queer Rom-Com 'Anaïs in Love' is Charming, Sensual, and Vibrant

Falling in love can feel dizzying and all-consuming. Vibrant, whirling, and delightfully charming, "Anaïs in Love" ("Les amours d'Anaïs") eloquently and tangibly captures the emotions involved when desire sparks and burns.

Written and directed by Charline Bourgeois-Tacquet, the queer French rom-com – which premiered at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival – follows endearing protagonist Anaïs (Anaïs Demoustier), who falls for her lover's girlfriend (Valeria Bruni Tedeschi). Strong performances bolster the film, which is sensual and sharply written, and boasts expressive dialogue. The well-drawn, complex characters feel like real people.

Opening with a bright, kaleidoscopic color palette, the film introduces us to Anaïs as she runs with flowers to her apartment. A peppy piano score (music by Nicola Piovani) echoes Anaïs running (she often runs in the film), but also her assertiveness, loquaciousness, and scattered life. She's a graduate student struggling with her thesis; books are her one prized possession. She owes two months of rent, and frequently arrives late to events. We immediately get a sense of her personality and lifestyle.

Anaïs doesn't love her boyfriend Raoul (Christophe Montenez). When she shares that she's pregnant and going to have an abortion, he cruelly criticizes her, saying that she doesn't "realize what human interaction is." A revealing statement to her landlord – that she'd be happy if she was really in love – indicates that Anaïs has possibly never been in love before, at least not in the way she wants.

At a party, Anaïs meets the-much-older Daniel (Denis Podalydès), who he becomes enamored with her; they begin a sexual affair. He often mentions his independent girlfriend, Emilie (Valeria Bruni Tedeschi, who recently starred in queer drama "The Divide"), a successful writer who often travels alone.

At Daniel's house, Anaïs gingerly and reverently touches Emilie's lipstick and dress, in a moment accompanied by a romantic string score. Her curiosity growing, she watches an interview with Emilie. Anaïs tells her brother Balthazar (Xavier Guelfi) that she and Emilie would get along, as they share much in common. Anaïs falls under the spell of her fantasy of Emilie.

In a rom-com meet-cute, Anaïs encounters Emilie on the street. They talk about Emilie's book and briefly flirt. Afterwards, Anaïs drops everything, traveling to a symposium to attend Emilie's lecture. Alone, they discuss writing and literature. Each reveals facets of themselves: Anaïs opens up about her mother having cancer, death, and how she doesn't want to "collapse" under the "crushing" toll of life. Emilie shares she had a queer crush when she was younger, and how she doesn't want to be tethered to a place.

We witness the queer female gaze as Anaïs watches Emilie's hands and neck while they watch a film. In an arresting, romantic, and sexy scene, Emilie seductively dances to song "Bette Davis Eyes," beckoning Anaïs to join. Anaïs's freedom, bravery, and "demanding nature" attract Emilie.

Alone together on a sun-soaked beach, Anaïs pours glinting sand on her leg, which Emilie slowly touches. Shy and tentative (not usually her nature, but unsurprising as she's falling in love), Anaïs tells Emilie she wants to kiss her. Sounds of ocean waves accompany the sensually moving camera (cinematography by Noé Bach) as the women passionately kiss, touch, and explore each other's bodies, luxuriating in pleasure.

Anaïs Demoustier and Valeria Bruni Tedeschi give fantastic performances. Anaïs and Emilie share a magnetic, enticing, and palpable chemistry. It's easy to see why they're drawn to each other, pulled into each other's alluring orbit.

The film culminates in tender, emotional scenes accompanied by a score of slow strings juxtaposing the zippy piano music in the beginning.

Vivid and enchanting, "Anaïs in Love" jubilantly and charmingly explores burgeoning desire and seduction. The film is evocative of the excellent "The Worst Person in the World," in that both films merge romance with a 30-year-old woman's coming-of-age story. It's a rewarding testament to how Anaïs embraces her queer sexuality and starts to find her way in the world.

"Anaïs in Love" screens at OUTshine Film Festival on April 23, 2022. It opens in theaters on April 29, 2022 and on VOD May 6, 2022.

This story is part of our special report: "OUTshine 2022". Want to read more? Here's the full list.