Movie Details:
Original title | Mes chères études |
Based on | Mes chères études by Laura D. |
Country | France |
Language | French |
Genres | Drama, Romance |
Release date | January 18, 2010 |
Running time | 1hr 40min |
Starring | Déborah François |
Directed by | Emmanuelle Bercot |
Written by | Emmanuelle Bercot |
Produced by | François Kraus Denis Pineau-Valencienne |
Cinematography by | Christophe Offenstein |
Edited by | Julien Leloup |
Music by | Frédéric Fortuny |
Production Company | Les Films du Kiosque |
Distributor | CN Entertainment (Hong Kong) Canal+ (France) IFC Films (United States) |
Cast & Characters:
- Déborah François as Laura
- Alain Cauchi as Joe
- Mathieu Demy as Benjamin
- Benjamin Siksou as Manu
- Joseph Braconnier as the client in the car
- Marc Chapiteau as the abusive photographer
Storyline:
Laura is a college freshman who works in a call centre. One day she faints during a lecture because she hasn’t eaten enough. She is advised to sue her parents but they, being working class, cannot afford to pay her more money. A little later when she is at home the energy provider cuts off the power because of overdue payments. Once the electricity is restored, she surfs the internet for an additional job. Eventually she ends up on a website where mature men advertise in order to get to know women. She contacts a man called Joe who wants to pay her for keeping him company. When they meet she is very nervous and obviously very ashamed but her experienced suitor manages to euphemise the situation. He tells her that the business is only about fantasy and nowadays everything is for sale, including fantasy fulfilment. His payment enables her to pay bills and to have a little party. She continues to meet men for money and Joe becomes a regular. But while she gets used to the money, she does not get used to what she has to do for it. Clients overstep lines and cheat her out of her money, and finally even Joe does that. Laura suffers a breakdown.