Young & Beautiful (2013)
“A provocative exploration of youth, desire, and self-discovery.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Overview: Directed by François Ozon, Young & Beautiful is a French drama that follows the life of 17-year-old Isabelle, who embarks on a journey of sexual discovery and emotional growth. The film charts her transformation from innocence to experience, as she engages in an affair with an older man, then begins working as an escort. Set on the beautiful French Riviera, the film delicately balances themes of sexuality, identity, and the complexities of human relationships with a haunting, elegant atmosphere.
The story unfolds across four seasons, marking Isabelle’s transformation from an innocent teenager into a woman navigating desire, power, and control. After losing her virginity during a summer romance, she feels emotionally disconnected from the experience. Back in Paris, she secretly becomes an escort, arranging encounters with older men under the alias “Léa.” She remains distant and unreadable, treating her transactions with clinical detachment—until an unexpected tragedy unravels her secret life.
When one of her clients dies in her presence, Isabelle’s double life is exposed, sending shockwaves through her family. Her mother (Géraldine Pailhas) struggles to understand her choices, while a psychologist (Charlotte Rampling) attempts to decipher her motivations. But Isabelle remains enigmatic, never offering easy answers—does she seek rebellion, control, self-discovery, or something else entirely?
