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Review

In Domain, Pierre (Isaïe Sultan), a high-school student, forms an unusual attachment with his Aunt Nadia (Béatrice Dalle). Why wouldn't he? She’s a sultry, sharply-dressed Math professor who hangs out and drinks wine with attractive intellectuals of varying ages and sexual orientations - all of whom discuss heady concepts by campfire and dance around to hip-hop. In Pierre's eyes, Nadia is the coolest Aunt a young boy could ask for. Pierre doesn't realize, though, that Aunt Nadia drinks to a harmful degree and masks a deep sadness that no amounts of alcohol can medicate.

The first signs of Pierre’s sexuality come into play about 40 minutes into the film - when he makes eye contact with Fabrice (Manuel Marmier), a handsome, muscular stranger he meets on the bus. The two boys begin dating - which puts a damper on the quality time Pierre shares with Aunt Nadia and soon brings out her jealous side. This romantic subplot quickly fades into the background, however, when Nadia receives news that she is seriously ill. Pierre, her closest family member and confidant, is obligated to stay by her side and look at his beloved Aunt in a whole new light.

Despite compelling performances - Béatrice Dalle plays Nadia with the perfect combination of seductive mystery, abrasiveness and brittle emotion while newcomer Isaïe Sultan makes his loveably naive young protégé believable - the film moves slowly. The focus of the film is clearly meant to be on Pierre and Nadia's relationship, but interesting supporting characters - such as the aforementioned Fabrice, as well as Nadia's much older, cross-dressing lover Samir (Alain Libolt) - are introduced, but never fully explored. Domain has interesting things to say about the combination of Nadia's emotional regression and Pierre's youthful desire for adulthood, but it could use a shot of adrenaline.

 -- Robert O'Neill