Isabelle Huppert stars as Frederique a cute but quiet provincial woman who works on a trout farm and is married to an alcoholic homosexual who seems to always be going through withdrawal. Although Frederique is devoted to her husband (Jacques Spiesser) she welcomes the advances of a couple businessmen one of whom offers her a trip to Japan, which she takes.

Once in Japan she wanders around meeting various people, enjoys the sites but is otherwise slightly bored. (If this almost sounds a bit like Lost in Translation it isn't – but it did come to mind while watching the Japan sections). Along the way she learns how to deal with her life and amuse herself with men. When she comes back she accepts an offer to run a trout farm in Japan.

The main businessmen (Jean-Pierre Cassel) who attempts to buy her off and woo her into bed is married to a woman (played by Jeanne Moreau) who can't take it anymore and threatens serious reprisals if he doesn't stop fooling around. But Frederique is smarter than everybody and will succumb to no one. Although this doesn't stop the nasty jealousies between the businessman and his wife.

The film's structure is mostly straight forward with some flashbacks that clue us into Frederique's behavior toward men, which seems to have always been beguiling.

The film is directed by Joseph Losey best known for The Servant and The Accident and it is easy to see that he has a tremendous talent behind the camera as well as with the way the film plays itself out.

La Truit was made in the early 1980's and it certainly has the look – especially the hair styles and dress – of the era. If the film was made in the 1950's this would be full of high theatrical drama such as something like Peyton Place but Losey employs a cool style and keeps most everything cerebral. Even the dramatic moments seem to come and go rather quickly with little sensation. Still the film is very engaging and well paced.

The cinematography is by Henri Alekan who shot over 70 films including Beauty and the Beast (1947) and Wings of Desire (1987).

Video:
The DVD is presented in an aspect ratio of 1.66:1 is 16 x 9 compatible and looks excellent. The film has a soft colorful look with a lot of diffuse lighting in its many indoor scenes. The DVD transfer was done basically by the same people who do the work for Criterion and it's easy to see that. Especially when I tested the bit rate which averaged 7.5 to 9.2.

Audio:
The audio is presented in monaural French and sounds good.

Extras:
There are director and actor filmographies and a two page essay booklet on the inside jacket cover by Brian McFarlane.

Final Thoughts:
La Truite/i> is a very well directed French drama about a woman who learns how to use men without giving them too much. The film is more cereberal than dramatic, which for art house fans is probably a good thing. The DVD transfer is excellent but there are practically no extras.