The words “Be Bold!“ are seen in neon in the shop window and Eva (Alexandra Gilbreath) is plucking up her courage. She just received her first bonus and is buying a dress with a plunging neckline at a fancy boutique. She wants to inspire her husband, who isn‘t giving her the attention she craves after 30 years of marriage. In order to not fall apart due to her yearning for physical satisfaction, Eva recently started working at Art of Love in addition to her job at the London transport service. Her reviews of individual products are well received by the company head and the customers, even though the neglected wife hasn‘t tried any of the toys. Her much younger colleague Adam (Oliver Walker) is very familiar with the devices, he‘s a successful influencer and the company‘s poster boy. When the two of them are tasked with testing out a new AI controlled product, there isn‘t much enthusiasm. They don‘t like each other until they both admit how lonely they are and an honest, platonic bond begins. The pattern of Philippe Weibel‘s comedy is familiar: it‘s the story of an unusual friendship in the present-day urban jungle. The London streets and apartments look too polished, clean, and provincial to be believable. The humor is also overdone, in parts. What works better for the Swiss director is his choice of actors. Alexandra Gilbreath is especially successful in lending her frustrated wife hoping for late in life romance some dignity and shading.

Pamela Jahn

Translation: Elinor Lewy