Lean in, listen to 'Gabrielle'

Inert, talky and short on plot, there is nevertheless something entrancing about Patrice Chereau's film Gabrielle, an adaptation of Joseph Conrad's short story, The Return.

IFC Films 'Gabrielle' B The verdict: A talky, literary adaptation of a study of a 10-year marriage and its limits. Director: Patrice Chéreau Starring: Isabelle Huppert, Pascal Greggory, Thierry Hancisse, Claudia Coli, Chantal Neuwirth Run time: 90 minutes Release date: July 14, 2006 Language: French with English subtitles Rating: Not rated but there are emotionally intense scenes, sexuality and brief nudity. On the web Official movie site View the trailer    Trailers require Quicktime Rate 'Gabrielle'   Go see it   Make it a matinee   Wait to rent   Don't bother Voter Limit: Once per Hour View Poll Results

Chereau is not one to worry about his material's literary roots and he takes pride in its transfer to celluloid in the equivalent of a two-character play. Still, there are subtle rewards for those with the patience to lean in and listen.

Chief among them are the performances of the acclaimed French actress Isabelle Huppert and her acting partner Pascal Greggory as Gabrielle and Jean Hervey, trophy wife to a wealthy publisher, who co-exist for 10 loveless years.

Then she finds the gumption to have an affair, just to remind herself that she is not dead yet. But she will return and the two of them will calmly discuss her actions and their ramifications.

The two actors are consciously drained of emotion, just as the screen is occasionally drained of color. Still, there is a delicacy and an opulence to this film. Gabrielle is a quintessential Emerging Cinemas film, with sufficient appeal to those with patience and an appreciation of muted expression.