Belle Toujours (2006)

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Beautifully, economically, directed, acted and photographed (by Sabine Lancelin), ‘Belle Toujours’ is essentially an affectionate, witty, often farcical jeu d’esprit, sweetly and knowingly bringing together the old-fashioned and the modern.

Oliveira's slender Belle Toujours has a certain curiosity value for fans of Belle De Jour, even if it never matches the surreal brilliance of the earlier film.

As such, you want it to be a timeless triumph, but sadly it’s a minor work.

There is something reductive in all these talky explanations, nailing down the mysteries of fantasy and dream life that Buñuel so audaciously left hanging.

The film is a maddening mix of mild fascination and boredom. Bulle Ogier plays Séverine, as Deneuve opted not to reprise her role. Without her, the film lacks the required frisson.

Pointless and just a little bit silly, it lumbers from one unlikely scenario to another while also managing to shoehorn in a couple of blousy strumpets who look like they've wandered in from an adult panto.

Belle Toujours is a teasing charmer from a Portuguese centenarian.

A watchable and intriguing drama, with subtle moments of humour, although it's essentially a companion piece to Belle de Jour and doesn't quite stand up on its own.