High-profile lawyer Michel (Gérard Lanvin) takes on the defence of a young and pretty small-time thief Cécile (Virginie Ledoyen), after the botched hold-up of a jeweller's. As predicted by his elegant art-dealer and sculptress wife Vivian (Carole Bouquet), Michel goes well beyond his brief, jeopardising his career and ruining his marriage of 18 years.

Michel is a suave and self-confident figure but his entanglement, both professional and romantic with Cécile, unleashes forces of sexual obsession and pride that propel him beyond his control. Also at work is a nostalgic identification with a younger self who grew up in her deprived neighbourhood. Cécile is in awe of the trappings of the new habitat Michel has provided for her but is still drawn persistently back to her former lover, a drug-dealing bartender Vincent (Guillaume Canet).

DID YOU KNOW?
	The same Simenon novel was adapted in 1958 into a film called Love Is My Profession starring Jean Gabin and a 24-year-old Brigitte Bardot.   Ledoyen and Canet can also be seen together in Danny Boyle's film of The Beach.

Pierre Jolivet directs the film with assurance, and Lanvin, Ledoyen and Canet all put in strong performances. Ironically it is not this love triangle but Bouquet's portrayal of a seemingly statuesque and poised character that gives the film its real emotional punch. Her key scenes are utterly compelling: the barrister-like eloquence of her visit to the state prosecutor, the halting flirtation with Michel's assistant, and the argument with Michel in which for very different reasons they find themselves competing to reject the material trappings of his stature.