The Last Romantic Lover

Although we tend to assume the high-concept romantic comedy was a particularly unflattering invention of the ‘90s, the formula was utilized much earlier – and much better – throughout film history.  Whether it’s Bringing up Baby or Notting Hill, there’s an art to doing the meet-cute correctly.  And director Just Jaeckin, known mostly for kickstarting the erotic film renaissance with Emmanuelle, gets it just right with 1978’s The Last Romantic Lover.

A hypersexualized feminist with a fear of commitment, Elisabeth stages a controversial magazine contest in which men are judged on their physique, manners, kissing and…uh, size.  Pierre, a lion tamer, is convinced to enter against his will by his fellow circus performers who hope to use the prize money to keep their show afloat.  But when the big prize winds up being a ten-day vacation with the woman of your choice, Pierre chooses Elisabeth, dragging her back with him to the circus for a classic fish-out-of-water scenario.

 

That our mis-matched couple will fall in love is a given.  But Jaeckin spins such a charming yarn out of the ridiculous scenario that the inevitable predictability of it all is a moot point.  Viewers will get a kick out of the contest itself, a disco-chic parade of hot bodies and oversized egos – judged by women and gay men – that turns the tables in high style.  But empty tittilation isn’t Jaeckin’s goal.  His film is about love as a whole:  family, friends, sacrifice and sex that meanssomething.  

 

That his rather wholesome message went against the grain in 1978 might explain the film’s quick disappearance.  But Cult Epics reintroduces the late-director’s work in a beautiful new 4K transfer on Blu-ray, plus an audio commentary, presentation at the Cinematheque Francaise, promo gallery and interviews with Jaeckin and actress Dayle Haddon who does great work in the role of Elisabeth.  Don’t write this off as Emmanuelle-lite.  It’s a visual stunner from beginning to end.

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