Adaptations of Proust are difficult because the filmmaker must find a way to appropriate Proust's heavy writing style and interior voice with visuals. Thankfully, director Chantel Akerman keeps things very precise and too the point without trying to appropriate Proust's literary style.

The film is about a sickly rich young man Simon played by Stanislas Merhar who is obsessed with his girlfriend Ariane (Sylvie Talstud). He follows her everywhere and when they are together he quietly interrogates her about her day, who she talked to, who talked to her, and many other such needling questions.

Simon doesn't do much during the day and his whole life seems to be lost in a fog of serene angst [if that's possible]. He doesn't seem to be able to communicate with Ariane either yet he has his own odd way of conveying his feelings for her; for instance he has a habit of making love to her when she is asleep.

La Captive, however, is not as kinky as it sounds. It's actually quite a stately and slowly moving film with an element of mystery. The film's complexity comes mainly from the fact that it is hard to figure out what it is that makes Simon tick. He's a strange kid and what's more his girlfriend doesn't seem to mind. Their relationship seems to be based on a late 19th century version of a late 20th century relationship – which is to say they seem destined to be with each other even though it seems they don't particularly seem that fond of each other.

Akerman sets the mood really well and in some ways invites the audience to observe their lives as well as be a voyeur along with the main character. Simon occasionally follows Ariane when she is away from him and we tag right along right behind him exploring and wondering what will happen next.

Comparing films with other films is one of those conceits I try to avoid but since the filmmaker in an interview on the DVD makes comparisons I'll mention them. Thematically La Captive recalls such films as Vertigo in that it deals with a man's obsessive perception but it also shares elements with Eyes Wide Shut in that it deals with a man who is disturbed by his inability to truly understand the woman he is in love with. There are also visual and thematic elements it shares with Contempt in that the love between two people has reached a breaking point and they are unsure what to do.

From her real time housewife movie Jeanne Dielman to her detached long tracking shot filled documentary D'Est about Russian life after communism Chantel Akerman has often explored the concept of ennui and real-life-as-it-is-lived with a very formalistic style. Her films are always deliberately paced and rarely forced. She takes the audience into quite places and lets us explore every nuance of the characters and every frame of film. For this reason alone she is not for everyone's taste. But if you like this style of film [some would say that Tarkovsky or Antonioni have relatively the same pacing] along with exquisite framing then La Captive is worth a look.

How does it Look:
The DVD is presented in and aspect ratio of 1.66:1 and looks great. The cinematography by Sabine Lancelin looks sharp and clear. Most of the film is shot in natural light interiors and at night so there is not much color. The shadows and blacks are very dark; this is a film best seen with all the lights in the house off. The muted palette fits the main character quite well so I would say this is a conscious and well done formalistic device. The film is also extraordinarily well framed. Many shots look like a painting.

How does it sound:
The film is in French with English subtitles (that cannot be removed) and is presented in Dolby 2.0 mono. The film has a good classical music score featuring Rachmaninov, Schubert and Mozart. The film benefits from silence and natural sounds like wind, street noise and foot steps all of which are given a good full range.

Extras:
There are three extras. One is a 26 minute interview with Chantel Akerman shot in looking video. Akerman puffs away on a cigarette and talks about the finer points of the film from the theme to the film's style. Next is an eight-minute interview with actress Sylvie Talstud which includes insights into her acting. Lastly is the film's French trailer.

Overall:
La Captive is a good French film about dysfunctional love. Slow paced and mysterious it reveals more about the mood of its characters than about their motivations. If you are into art films this is the ticket. The DVD looks great and has some good extras.