Keswick Film Club - A Private Life

Synopsis

Closing Film
Jodie Foster Retrospective

Starring Jodie Foster in her first French speaking lead role, this immensely entertaining murder mystery has elements of black comedy, with Foster at her charismatic best among an all-star cast.

Paris-based psychiatrist Lilian Steiner enjoys a comfortable ex-pat existence and is stunned at the news that a client, Paula, has killed herself. Encounters with the grieving husband and daughter lead Lilian to suspect foul play, and her obsessive nature kicks in.

"Along with hilariously witty touches, there are fascinating currents of impulsiveness, avoidance and repression that run right through this story. This creates vividly flawed characters who are easy to identify with. To understand what happened to Paula, Lilian needs to look honestly at herself, which gives the film a deeper resonance than we expect. And it's ultimately both chilling and charming." Rich Cline, Shadows on the Wall