Sophia is a philosophy professor in Montreal and has lived as a couple with Xavier for 10 years. Sylvain is a carpenter in the Laurentians and must renovate their country house. When Sophia meets Sylvain for the first time, it’s love at first sight. Opposites attract, but can it last?
Sophia (Magalie Lépine Blondeau) is contentedly married to Xavier (Francis-William Rhéaume) - though they sleep in separate rooms, and is quite nervous about meeting the renovator of their newly acquired waterside chalet. Those nerves seem wholly justified when her arrival introduces her to the lively Sylvain (Pierre-Yves Cardinal) who tells her that the place is in riddled with carpenter beetles and is in need of tons of expensive modernisation! Shes understandably upset and her tears have quite an effect on the man. Soon they are having a beer and, well you can guess the rest... It isnt just an one night stand, though - they cant stop thinking about each other and this doesnt bode well for her marriage. Their friendship, though loving, now throws up some difficulties. Shes from a wealthy family and hes a man who works with his hands. Her family - especially her rather obnoxious brother Olivier (Guillaume Laurin) rather look down on the man but his mother Guylaine (Linda Sorgini) who has a penchant for rather ropey vin rosé and his family do take to her more readily. Can the two manage to make their own affections prevail against an accumulating series of challenges? Theres an engaging chemistry between the two as we see their romance build, falter, thrive - is it real love or just an infatuation with both seeking that which they can never have? Ill be honest, the ending rather crept up on me - it wasnt what I wanted and certainly not what I expected, but its effective nonetheless as auteur Monia Chokri throws down a bit of a gauntlet to impulse, lust and both a psychological and visceral sense of longing. Do we seek love, and would we know it if we found it or does it seek us so it can plays games with us? The story can seem a little contrived at times and it does play to stereotype now and again too, but its still quite an impassioned watch with two solid efforts at the helm.
