Melbourne International Film Festival 2025: Vie Privée (A Private Life)

 

“You didn’t listen to her.”

Twisty, suspicious but messy, Vie Privée (A Private Life) follows a bilingual Jodie Foster as a neurotic psychologist as she spirals in the aftermath of a patient’s unexpected death, and her increasingly paranoid investigation into the suicide, that sadly isn’t as intriguing or compelling as Foster’s central performance.

Discussion Points:

It’s always a cinematic privilege to witness the wonder of Jodie Foster. She’s one of those actresses who instantly elevates anything she’s in. And watching her descend into increasing mania as a psychologist trying to solve the unexpected death of patient is truly captivating. Unfortunately, the film around her thinks it’s smarter than it actually is, and is messy in its narrative execution. It’s a blend of all kinds of psychological thriller but it never actually feels all too clever. Unnecessary red herrings, rushed resolutions and barely believable side plots - it’s weighed down by characters who just don’t feel real or lived in, despite the beautifully rich Parisian setting that’s aching with history and character in the backdrop. Foster’s bilingual performance is easily what salvages an otherwise odd exploration of loss and grief between a practitioner and their patient. Not as hypnotic as I would’ve hoped, nor psychologically stimulating.