Tromperie (2021)

hanguyen
April 1, 2025

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 passionate 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.

Tromperie (Deception) is a literary and intellectual drama based on Philip Roth’s semi-autobiographical novel. The film unfolds through a series of intimate conversations, blurring the lines between fiction and reality, love and deceit, desire and guilt.

Unlike traditional narrative-driven films, Tromperie is dialogue-heavy and theatrical, resembling a play more than a conventional movie. The focus is on philosophical musings rather than action, making it a film that appeals to those who enjoy introspective, layered storytelling.

The film centers on Philip (Denis Podalydès), an American writer living in London, who has ongoing clandestine meetings with his unnamed mistress (Léa Seydoux), a beautiful but tormented British woman. They spend time in his office, discussing love, fidelity, memory, aging, literature, and exile.

Philip also engages in conversations with other women:

His wife, who suspects his infidelity.
A former lover, who accuses him of emotional cruelty.
An old acquaintance, who reflects on their past relationship.

Through these encounters, the film weaves a portrait of male ego, the complexities of relationships, and the blurred boundaries between truth and fiction.

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.

Tromperie is not a conventional romance—it’s a cerebral, introspective meditation on love, literature, and the nature of truth. If you enjoy films that feel like reading a novel, this one is worth your time.

Do you think Tromperie successfully captures the essence of Roth’s novel, or does it lean too heavily on its intellectualism?

Tromperie (2021)

hanguyen

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