Festival de Cannes 2023 | The (Ex)perience of Love

A couple struggling to conceive embark on a peculiar, doctor-prescribed mission in The (Ex)perience of Love, an offbeat relationship comedy from director duo Ann Sirot and Raphaël Balboni.

When longtime couple Sandra (Lucie Debay) and Rémy (Lazare Gousseau) turn to a doctor for help after having difficulty conceiving, he gives them a strange diagnosis: they suffer from Past Love Syndrome, and the only way they’ll be able to cure it and successfully conceive is by having sex with all of their ex-lovers one more time. Sandra and Rémy readily accept this diagnosis and begin formulating their plans.

This quirky, absurdist premise sets the tone of the film. Part relationship drama and part whimsical comedy infused with magical realism and theatrical elements, it follows Sandra and Rémy through the ups and downs of their sexual and personal journeys.

Sandra has quite the list of exes to get through while Rémy only has three. Predictably, this contrast quickly creates a divide between them. Rémy becomes jealous of Sandra’s sexual freedom and the ease with which she is able to convince her ex-partners to hook up again. Meanwhile, he struggles to reconnect with his three exes and resents being home alone while Sandra is out having sex. So, they reach a compromise that allows Rémy to pursue sex with strangers (in addition to his exes).

Of course, this creates further issues as Rémy begins enjoying himself a little too much while Sandra becomes more emotionally drained by the whole process. She also catches on to the fact that Rémy is having such a great time with strangers while lagging on his true mission to reconnect with his exes.

Although much of the plot and the conflicts that arise between the two main characters are predictable, the film does an excellent job navigating the story in a way that compels viewers and makes it all feel fresh. The film’s particular brand of quirky humour, magical realism and character development all contribute to an engaging and meaningful effect.

Without giving anything away, the story’s conclusion is also very effective at subverting the predictable in favour of an ending that matches the film’s overarching themes and tone. It also offers a certain symmetry, coming full circle in a way that is both amusing and meaningful—and therefore very fitting.

In its decision to not take itself too seriously, the film provides more room to the actors and the narrative in which to experiment and have fun while also exploring emotional layers. This approach also gives the film more “oomph” and a wider audience appeal.

The style and aesthetic choices of the film also enhance its effectiveness, using different colour schemes, magical realism, and theatrical cut-aways to insert artistic flair and evoke a nostalgic resonance. The film is also able to move seamlessly between emotionally heavier moments and lighter ones. The use of jump cuts is a bit jarring at first, but as the film settles into its style we quickly become accustomed to them.

Debay and Gousseau give solid performances as they are able to have fun with their characters and play around while also moving effortlessly between delivering emotional depth and comedic punch.

This is the second feature from writer/director duo Sirot and Balboni, whose 2020 “Une Vie Démente” also tackled relationship obstacles and a couple hopeful for a child.

The (Ex)perience of Love had its international premiere as part of Cannes’ 62nd La Semaine de la Critique (2023 International Critics’ Week). A parallel section of the Cannes Film Festival, La Semaine de la Critique prides itself on discovering new talents and presents first and second feature films.