Monique (2003) Synopsis & Summary

Alex (Albert Dupontel of Irreversible) is depressed. His teenage son has left the nest, and Alex seems to be losing his connection to his wife, Claire (Marianne Denicourt). Resisting Claire’s efforts to reinvigorate their social life, he withdraws into himself. She complains to her friends about his apathy. “Lethargy is the easiest way of controlling us,” Claire tells her friends. One drunken night, Alex makes a decision that will change his life; while surfing porn sites on the internet, he purchases a sex doll. When the life-sized (and lifelike) woman is delivered to his door, he immediately tries to return it. He’s told by the American company that sells the doll that “all purchases are final.” At first, he’s ashamed, and tries to dispose of his custom-made, molded silicone dream girl. But when he learns that Claire is having an affair, and wants to “take a break,” Alex changes his attitude, and has a night of passion with the doll, newly christened Monique. Soon, he finds himself dedicating himself to her. He turns his son’s old room into a silky boudoir, purchases expensive lingerie, and starts taking care of his appearance and the condition of his house. As his friends struggle to understand what’s happened to Alex, his newfound passion begins to have a surprising effect on their lives, too. Monique marks the directorial debut of screenwriter Valerie Guignabodet. The film was shown at Lincoln Center in New York as part of their 2003 Rendezvous with French Cinema. - Josh Ralske, All Movie Guide