SEX DOLL


France, 2016, 102 minutes, Colour.
Hafsia Hertz, Ash Stymest.
Directed by Sylvie Verheyde.


While this is a French film, most of the dialogue is in French with some English, the setting is actually London.

This is a film about prostitutes, in themselves, their characters, their work, the repercussions, their friendships, issues of money, issues of violence from clients.

The focus is on Virginie, the touch of the ironic in her name. She is seen with various clients and going home, living comfortably, accumulating money. She has a number of friends in London and meets with them at clubs. She is French.

Rupert, a mysterious tattooed young man, enters her life, seemingly wanting her sexually but, rescuing her from a dangerous situation. He explains that this is his work, rescuing prostitutes from dangerous clients.

Virginie is ambitious, contacts a woman who controls a ring of call girls, auditions, goes out with clients. She is also to be a mentor or to a young woman. They go together to father and son and the action turns very violent, they run away in their underwear, seeming to be in danger – but Rupert steps in again and rescues them.

There is a complication in Rupert and Virginie’s relationship, his doing his job, its effect on him, and then a sexual encounter with Virginie.

The film ends with Virginie, having had enough in London, farewelling her friends, takes the train back to France – and finding Rupert on the train.

This is a slice of seamy London life, the world of the prostitutes and their clients, the world of the rescuer.

The film works as a portrait rather than as an exploration of the theme beyond what the audience already knows, the choices of the prostitutes for their life, the impact of their work with their clients, the issues of money, the dangers, ambitions, and some disillusionment.