Art of Love (2022 film)

Last updated
Art of Love
Directed by Betty Kaplan
Written byBetty Kaplan
Eduardo Lalo
Based onSimone
by Eduardo Lalo
Produced by
  • Frances Lausell
  • Peter Rawley
Starring
CinematographySonnel Velazquez
Edited byLuis Colina
Music byGeronimo Mercado
Distributed by Samuel Goldwyn Films
Release date
  • July 22, 2022 (2022-07-22)(United States)
Running time
116 minutes
CountryPuerto Rico
LanguagesEnglish
Spanish

Art of Love [1] (formerly titled Simone) [2] is a 2022 Puerto Rican romantic thriller film directed by Betty Kaplan and starring Esai Morales and Kunjue Li. It is based on the 2013 novel Simone [3] by Eduardo Lalo, who co-wrote the screenplay with Kaplan. [1]

Contents

Plot summary

With thoughts voiced by a narrator, a university professor gives a passionate lecture to students. An Asian-looking studet watches intently. The professor receives a note delivered by a person on a skateboard. Then he is at a mall. Julia looks at engagement rings at a shopping mall. The professor drives Julia and her son, Javier, afterwards. He tells Julia about a note that was delivered to him by a person on a skateboard and she gets annoyed, and they argue. They arrive at home and he carries the boy to bed. Julia undresses and seduces him after saying "too bad (her son) isn't yours".

The professor sees a message written on the pavement that says something to the effect of 'the greatest form of love is paying attention to another human'. As the messages in the form of notes continue, the professor attempts to learn the identity of the sender. He speaks to a French bookshop owner at her shop, and learns the person courting him is Simone Weil. At a Chinese restaurant, where she works as a waitress, is the professor. He eats and has a book titled "Simone Weil" (which is the name of the person who has been courting him). Finally, a message on his landline from Simone, introducing herself brings him joyous expectation for the date she sets for them to meet. They meet, and Simone tells him she is a lesbian.

He talks on the telephone, and angrily reacts to a rejection from a publisher, while his all-female staff cheer him on.

The narrator says Simone and the professor are in love. Simone and the professor photograph the place of her employment and plaster posters on its outside walls to promote her work. The professor is happy. Simone introduces the professor to her uncle and another family member. The uncle speaks angrily in Chinese and leaves the room but Simone does not translate. But later Simone rejects him when he asks if she is every going to let him make love to her completely she says she can not explain, then leaves him a message saying she can not see him anymore.

On a rainy night, the professor finds Julia sitting on the cement pavement, brings her to his house and showers her. On the couch, Julia opens her legs suggestively.

Simone tells the professor her uncle raped her many times when she was a child, that she got pregnant and had an abortion.

Simone's name is Liu. The professor meets her x-lover, a woman and he writes his feelings of woe about his situation. Liu shows at his house desperately yelling "writer, writer, writer" and he refuses to open the door. Liu pens him a note and leaves.

Cast

Production

Between March and June 2020, filming was halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. [4]

Release

In June 2022, it was announced that Samuel Goldwyn Films acquired U.S. distribution rights to the film, which was released in theaters and on digital platforms on July 22, 2022. [3]

Reception

Concepción de León of The New York Times gave the film a negative review and wrote, "And the film reinforces the fiction that it is often younger women who seduce older men and not the other way around. The writing, which leaves much to be desired, underscores these issues." [5]

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References

  1. 1 2 Kraft, Tim (July 21, 2022). "Exclusive: Kunjue Li Discusses Romantic-Thriller Art of Love". MovieWeb. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
  2. ↑ Ramos, Dino-Ray (February 20, 2020). "Kunjue Li Joins Esai Morales For 'Simone'; Cast Set For Mickey Keating's 'Offseason'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
  3. 1 2 Hipes, Patrick (June 8, 2022). "'Art Of Love' With Esai Morales And 'Tigertail's Kunjue Li Lands At Samuel Goldwyn Films; Watch Trailer". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
  4. ↑ Yamato, Jen (August 25, 2020). "I was 9 days away from finishing my film when COVID-19 hit. Inside our pandemic production". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
  5. ↑ de León, Concepción (July 21, 2022). "'Art of Love' Review: An Erotic Male Fantasy in Puerto Rico". The New York Times. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
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