Simple Passion

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1:41

Simple Passion

2022

1h 36m

Romance

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

59%

Tomatometer

27 Reviews

43%

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

In this sexually frank portrait of female lust and vulnerability, a mother falls into an addictive relationship with a Russian diplomat, with whom she has nothing in common.

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Critics Consensus

Simple Passion's rather unremarkable story is elevated by Laetitia Dosch's outstanding work in the central role.

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David Stratton

The Australian

Feb 23, 2022

3.5/5

Dosch gives a brave performance and there’s an excellent soundtrack...

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Katie Walsh

Los Angeles Times

Jan 28, 2022

"Simple Passion" lets the bodies do the talking, and after a while, they run out of things to say.

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Mick LaSalle

San Francisco Chronicle

Jan 25, 2022

3/4

Dosch is remarkable. This is my first time seeing the French-Swiss actress, and now I want to go back now and catch up with everything she's done.

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Kyle Bain

Film Threat

Mar 25, 2022

8/10

There are many moving pieces and some things that don’t necessarily work so well, but all-in-all, I believe that the movie checks all the boxes necessary to call it a success.

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Pauline Adamek

FILMINK (Australia)

Feb 5, 2022

11/20

essentially a shallow examination of sexual obsession.

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Dennis Harvey

48 Hills

Jan 31, 2022

The actors are perfectly fine in their sketchy roles, the filmmaking is gracefully crafted. But Simple Passion is the classic case of a movie too invested in depicting sex to manage much of anything else...

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Alain E

@AlainE Jan 29, 2026

If the passion of the heroine is intended as simple, I am the king of Siam. This is definitely watchable starting with the apt reference to Hiroshima mon amour in the beginning. In terms of characterising the behavior of the protagonist, she shows the maturity of a twelve year old girl. Not a single mother educator who teaches literature. It’s not clear at all why she falls for the heavily tattooed Putin agent. Also unlikely is the ending when she finally sees the light. Based on her previous actions she could have very well committed suicide when she realized that the romance was over. Laetitia Dosch is really good. Excellent Francoamerican song selection. On Tubi and Strand.

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Susannah M

@RT72775040 Nov 7, 2025

I personally found this movie heart wrenchingly beautiful and deeply moving. When he calls her his love at the very end, it all becomes crystal clear how symbiotic and profound their connection truly was. This movie is not about a mere love affair but more an ode to the power of transcendence in passionate souls.

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Danielle Arbid

Director

Laetitia Dosch

Hélène Auguste

Sergei Polunin

Aleksandr Svitsin

Lou-Teymour Thion

Paul

Caroline Ducey

Anita

Grégoire Colin

L'ex d'Hélène

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17%

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TRAILER

for 2 Hearts

Kabir Singh

23%

79%

Kabir Singh

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Simple Passion: Trailer 1

1:41

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Synopsis

In this sexually frank portrait of female lust and vulnerability, a mother falls into an addictive relationship with a Russian diplomat, with whom she has nothing in common.

Director: Danielle Arbid
Producer: David Thion, Philippe Martin
Screenwriter: Danielle Arbid, Annie Ernaux
Distributor: Strand Releasing
Production Co: Les Films Pelleas, Versus Production
Genre: Romance, Drama
Original Language: French (France)
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 21, 2022, Limited
Box Office (Gross USA): $3.5K
Runtime: 1h 36m
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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