Deception (2021), directed by Arnaud Desplechin, is an intimate and cerebral drama based on Philip Roth’s novel. The film follows an American writer (Denis Podalydès) living in exile in London, whose pᴀssionate affair with his British mistress (Léa Seydoux) becomes a gateway to deeper reflections on love, desire, and idenтιтy.

Told through a series of fragmented conversations, the narrative blurs the line between reality and fiction as the writer engages with various women in his life—his wife, past lovers, and the mistress who serves as both muse and obsession. Through these dialogues, themes of infidelity, power dynamics, and creative struggle emerge, mirroring Roth’s introspective and provocative storytelling.

Léa Seydoux delivers a striking performance, capturing the allure and vulnerability of a woman caught between love and longing. Podalydès embodies the detached yet tormented writer, using his relationships as material for his work while grappling with his emotions.

The film’s structure, fluid and dreamlike, mirrors the stream-of-consciousness style of the novel, weaving together moments of tenderness, eroticism, and intellectual discourse.

More than a love story, Deception is a meditation on the complexities of human connection and the blurred boundaries between life and art. With its sharp dialogue and evocative cinematography, it offers a thought-provoking exploration of pᴀssion and self-deception, drawing viewers into the protagonist’s intricate inner world.