Flesh and Form

I caught Gilles Bourdos' Renoir last Saturday.
Needless to say that I liked it a lot. Then again, I tend to like the French films I choose to see. Luckily.
The story paints two very different pictures of how a woman can be percieved by two different (yet not so different) men. Christa Theret plays Andrée Heuschling, also called Dédé, muse to Pierre Auguste Renoir, the famous Impressionist painter, played by Michel Bouquet. She is classically beautiful and presents herself as a somewhat mysterious and spirited young woman, two characteristics that further her relationship with the "Patron". She undoubtedly becomes his favourite muse, a fact that adds to her being disliked by most other woman who live with Renoir.
All in all, this sees quite innocent and idyllic, but complications arise when Jean (Vincent Rottiers), one of the painter's sons, temporarily returns from the war to heal from a wound sustained in battle.
Dédé and Jean subtly develop a mutual liking that slowly turns into an amorous relationship.
But will the Patron stand for it?
You'll find the answer to that on the silver screen when you go see it.

It is a sensual, beautifully shot picture that explores the collisions between different kinds of artists, as well as the troubles between a rigid father and an oppressed son. The answer to (most of) their problems lies within a young, sometimes selfish woman. Good luck with that.
Also, a little present for cinephiles looking to see the film, pay particular attention to film references and Jean's attitude towards the idea of becoming a filmmaker. It is all quite amusing, considering how famous he became only a few years after the setting of Renoir.

If you are looking for a comparison between this feature and another French film in terms of how it looks, then the best example I can suggest is La fille du puisatier, "The Well Digger's Daughter", directed by Daniel Auteuil, who also starts as the well digger. Another worthy French film.
They really do know what they're doing.