Chinese Puzzle review

Episode III: A New Soap

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Following Pot Luck (2002) and Russian Dolls (2005), Cedric Klapisch’s charming-but-choppy trilogy culminates with… more of the same. Pinballing off his ex-partner, his lesbian bestie, and an old flame, Romain Duris’ restless novelist Xavier plunges into a Green Card -style fake marriage that threatens to turn this sophisticated New York dramedy into a French farce.

Klapisch’s confident mix of live action, animation, and novel-within-a-film schtick fills out the amiable if slight plot. But it’s Duris’ engaging breakneck performance, bolstered by energetic turns from Kelly Reilly, Cecile de France and Audrey Tatou, that keeps the motor running.

Kate Stables
Freelance Writer

Kate is a freelance film journalist and critic. Her bylines have appeared online and in print for GamesRadar, Total Film, the BFI, Sight & Sounds, and WithGuitars.com.

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