Given the explosive potential of combining the fearlessly provocative director Catherine Breillat with the fearlessly provocative actress Asia Argento (who has also proved herself to be quite fearless behind the camera), one might expect something slightly more daring and memorable than this lush period piece turns out to be. Breillat never seems entirely comfortably working in a 19th-century milieu, and while the film certainly has its powerful moments, overall it feels too distanced and calculated to convey the passionate battle between the head and the heart. (Angelika Film Center, Dallas, TX)