It’s a shame that despite a charismatic cast Audiard ultimately lets his evocative black-and-white fall on the side of artifice, to the service of an ultimately reductive vision.

Audiard’s not been this sharp and electric in a decade at least, understandably energized by his incredible cast and by the intensity of the sexual dynamics explored within.

The result is sloppy but funny, and includes a charming debut performance by Lucie Zhang as a mixed-up call-center employee.

Audiard manages to take the disconnected urban lifestyle of young adults and present a more faithful rendition than we’ve come to expect. He reminds us that sex is not just sexy but also an effective cinematic tool.