Review of film: “THE LAST MISTRESS” -- the story of a womanizer in 1835 as it might’ve been reported on TMZ

Review of film:  “THE LAST MISTRESS”  --  the story of a womanizer in 1835 as it might’ve been reported on TMZ  =

                

        [ RATING:  8 of 10 stars ] 

Date Rated: Jul 11, 2008 | Rel. Date: Jul 4, 2008 = 

While the times were different (set in the mid 1800’s), the openness of the story might remind you of today’s paparazzi-based TV shows. Ryno de Marigny (FU’AD AIT AATTOU) is a womanizer, a gambler, and a usually-penniless compatriot of numerous rich people in France...


...  He endures a long-term obsession with a Spanish mistress named Vellini (played with fiery intensity by ASIA ARGENTO). While the film has been described as “scandalous & explicit” about sex, it’s French-- so it probably doesn’t seem that way to them (just to people like periodically-Puritanical Americans)!...


...  The talk and action is indeed unpredictably frank and generally not what you might expect. Aattou is dandy playing a dandy, Argento is fascinating even when unlikeable, observers are frequently pompous, and it’s enjoyable seeing a film so different from mainstream American dramas...


...  But, don’t go expecting typical “happy ending” type conclusions to the various relationships!  Recommended for open-minded filmgoers.