Tromperie (2021) is a mesmerizing adaptation of Philip Roth’s semi-autobiographical novel Deception, exploring the blurred lines between fiction, memory, and desire. Set primarily in the intimate confines of a lover’s apartment, the film follows Philip (Denis Podalydès), a renowned American writer living in exile in 1980s London, as he engages in a pᴀssionate yet illicit affair with his French mistress (Léa Seydoux).
Their rendezvous become a series of intellectual and sensual conversations, where they discuss love, marriage, literature, exile, and the complexities of relationships. Philip records their encounters in his notebooks, creating a reality that is both deeply personal and fictionalized. As the story unfolds, the boundaries between his real experiences, his literary imagination, and his past relationships with other women—including his wife and former lovers—begin to dissolve, leaving the audience questioning what is real and what is merely a writer’s invention.
With minimalistic yet evocative cinematography, Tromperie thrives on the raw performances of Denis Podalydès and Léa Seydoux, whose chemistry ignites the screen. Arnaud Desplechin’s direction masterfully captures the essence of Roth’s novel, creating a deeply introspective film that delves into themes of infidelity, artistic obsession, and the male psyche.
For those who appreciate philosophical dialogues, literary cinema, and sensual storytelling, Tromperie is a compelling, thought-provoking experience that lingers long after the credits roll.
