I love a film based on a novel and Claire Denis’ latest film, Stars At Noon, is an updated version of Denis Johnson’s 1986 Nicaragua set novel. French auteur, Claire Denis, is venturing into Graham Greene territory here – espionage and dirty deeds in the tropics. She herself grew up in French colonial West Africa, with westerners getting hot and bothered in foreign climes popping up in her previous movies: Beau Travail, White Material, L’intrus and her first acclaimed film, Chocolat.
In this moody thriller and romance noir we are introduced to a young freelance journalist, Trish (Margaret Qualley). After writing a less than flattering story on life in Nicaragua, her passport is seized. Marooned and alone in an unnamed Managua, Trish is forced to trade sex for protection and rum money. Despite her bravado and tough front she is secretly desperate. She is unnervingly trading in her body for protection and favours from a policeman and government official.
Watching the ways Trish grifts for favours, food and even shampoo is darkly entertaining. She is a fabulously fierce twenty something feminist character and is luminous even in the direst of circumstances. Trish has not had a story printed or been paid for quite a while and must do anything to survive in this corrupt and dangerous landscape. Watch out for a funny cameo from John C Reilly as Trish’s editor.
When she meets a dashing English businessman in a bar it seems inevitable that romance will ensue. This is despite the fact that he is already married. His flop of blond hair and James Bondesque demeanour are the perfect foil for his mysterious and guarded personality. Trish hopes that Daniel (Joe Alwyn) will be her ticket out of there. But after several passionate encounters Trish gradually realises he’s in worse trouble than she is.
The two play cat and mouse with authorities and the dark forces swirling around them as they try to escape to safety. It seems that no one can be trusted and drama and mayhem surround them. Anyone who crosses their path is not safe. Daniel claims to work for an oil company but why is there a handgun in his shaving kit? Who is this mysterious and well dressed enigmatic stranger?
It’s moody and malevolent and at times has you holding your breath. The sex scenes are as steamy as the hotbed location and Denis loves to explore the nuances of this tangled relationship to the full. It’s not a fast paced action film but a lingering and languorous look at colonialism, conspiracy and desire under difficult and desperate circumstances.
Stars At Noon is a modern day spy story and dark romance, full of love and disillusion, set in a time of COVID. Although in English it retains a french sensibility and pacing to the story. Stars At Noon is in cinemas December 1.
Michelle Beesley is a Brisbane born and bred former primary school teacher. A wife, proud grandma and mother of three grown sons, Michelle is thrilled to have recently published her debut contemporary romance novel, It Happened in Paris, with Serenade Publishing. Her novella – Escape to D’ Amour was published in 2019. Michelle’s work can be found in the anthologies – Destination Romance and Short & Sweet. When not reading or writing Michelle can be found at a coffee shop chatting with friends, front row at a fashion show, or beside a rugby union field cheering on her favourite teams.
Michelle is a reluctant traveller, Francophile, keen walker and avid yoga enthusiast plus a book, film and theatre lover who loves everything pink and sparkly (including champagne). You can find Michelle on instagram @michellebeesley_writer and her website: michellebeesley.com.
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