I kept thinking this romcom was ‘so French’ as it eschewed all the typical tropes in favour of a madcap, wry cynicism about love. But of course, it’s French-Canadian. Sorry!

The title translates as ‘simple as Sylvain’ and this better represents the central problem for 40 something, Sophia (Magalie Lépine Blondeau). She is happy enough with partner, Xavier (Francis-William Rhéaume), but after 10 years, the passion has morphed into a friendship. Builder Sylvain (Pierre-Yves Cardinal) sweeps her off her feet, igniting, a physical desire that makes her want to upend her life and relationship.

Sylvain is both simpler intellectually – he hunts and drinks and his family feel like rednecks in comparison to Sophia’s more affluent friends – and the life he offers is one of defined gender roles and an unquestioned attraction that needs no thought.

It feels like a universal dilemma as we move into middle age. What is it we really want? Is it one thing or the other? Or perhaps nothing will be a perfect fit forever.

Monia Chokri, who also plays Sophia‘s frazzled friend Françoise, does a great job at imbuing humour throughout, and never lets her characters take themselves too seriously. It’s refreshing to watch a romcom where our protagonists end up in a place that feels real.

Director: Monia Chokri
Origin: Canada, France (2023)
Language: French with English subtitles
Genre: Comedy , Drama

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