Passages

I am a big fan of Franz Rogowski (he gives a haunting performance in Transit that I still think about) so I was really excited to see his latest movie, Passages, last night at the Broadway.  Even though he plays a thoroughly unlikable character, Rogowski is absolutely captivating as a man who initiates an emotionally damaging love triangle.  Tomas (Rogowski) is a demanding and controlling director living in Paris with his husband Martin (Ben Whishaw).  At the wrap party for his latest film Tomas has a sexual encounter with Agathe (Adele Exarchopoulos) but immediately confesses to Martin who is upset but excuses his behavior.  Tomas continues the affair with Agathe because he finds it exciting to be with a woman but soon falls in love with her and leaves Martin.  However, Tomas becomes irrationally jealous when Martin begins a relationship with an author named Ahmad (Erwan Kepoa Fale) and tries to win him back.  Complications ensue when Tomas attempts to keep both Martin and Agathe in his life only to lose them both.  Rogowski's performance is brilliant because, even though his character does so many reprehensible things, you are still drawn to him and I did feel a tiny bit of sympathy for him in a devastating final close-up shot of his eyes filled with tears (despite the fact that I silently cheered when he is forced to face the consequences of his actions).  Whishaw and Exarchopoulos also give outstanding, but highly restrained, performances as smart and successful people who make terrible decisions when it comes to the heart (we've all been there), especially in a powerful scene between Martin and Agathe that serves as a major turning point.  It is fascinating to watch the shifting power dynamics between the three characters.  There are lots of explicit sex scenes (it certainly earns its NC-17 rating) so this might not be for everyone but I found it riveting.

Note:  This also includes one of the funniest scenes I've seen in a long time.  Tomas meets Agathe's parents wearing a fishnet crop top and the look her mother (Caroline Chaniolleau) gives her father (Olivier Rabourdin) had everyone in my theater laughing out loud!