Russian Dolls (film)

Poupées russes (The Russian Dolls)

Company type	Film
Industry	Film industry
Predecessor	L'Auberge espagnole
Founded	2005
Founder	Cédric Klapisch (director)
Headquarters	Paris , France
Area served	International
Key people	Cédric Klapisch (director), Loïk Dury and Laurent Levesque (composers)
Products	Romantic comedy-drama film
Owner	StudioCanal

Plot

The story begins with a reunion of friends from L'Auberge espagnole gathering in Saint Petersburg to celebrate the wedding of Wendy's brother, William. During this event, Xavier contemplates the changes over the years.

Xavier and Martine have parted ways; Martine has become an environmental advocate and is raising a child. To maintain financial security, Xavier authors mass-market romantic novels and ghostwrites autobiographies for celebrities. Although Martine disparages his writing as unrealistic, Xavier appreciates the financial benefits. While in Paris, he engages in a brief relationship with Kassia, a Senegalese sales assistant. To satisfy his grandfather’s expectations, Xavier convinces his lesbian friend Isabelle to pretend to be his fiancée.

In Paris, Xavier crosses paths with Wendy, who has established herself as a television writer but is involved in a troubled relationship. A television project requires Xavier to travel to London and collaborate with Wendy. Concurrently, he ghostwrites for Celia Shelburn, an emerging model, which leads to a short-lived romance. The mutual attraction between Xavier and Wendy intensifies, culminating in a physical relationship after he confronts and removes her boyfriend.

William develops feelings for Natasha, a Russian ballerina; after dedicating a year to learning Russian, he relocates to Saint Petersburg to be with her. Xavier and Wendy visit the couple and explore the architecturally significant Street of Ideal Proportions. Their relationship flourishes until Celia contacts Xavier from Moscow; he visits her under deceptive circumstances, which Wendy discovers through his phone. At the train station, Wendy confronts him and leaves in tears.

In Moscow, Xavier briefly reconnects with Celia but they grow apart following her sudden departure. Celia represents an elusive ideal similar to the Street of Ideal Proportions—ultimately disappointing. Upon returning to Saint Petersburg, Xavier finds Wendy distancing herself due to suspicions of his unfaithfulness.

The narrative concludes at William and Natasha's wedding where friends from L'Auberge Espagnole are present. Amid familial discord, Wendy turns to Xavier for solace; they reconcile as the film closes with their embrace at Waterloo Station.

Reception

Critics responded favorably overall, with the film holding a 72% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and achieving a Metacritic score of 67.

César Awards

• Best Supporting Actress: Cécile De France (winner)
• Best Supporting Actress: Kelly Reilly (nominee)
• Best Editing: Francine Sandberg (nominee)

Soundtrack

The film’s original score was created by Loïk Dury and Laurent Levesque. The accompanying soundtrack album peaked at number 25 on the French music charts.

Track listing

1. Da GrassRoots – "Démesure des mesures"
2. Da GrassRoots – "Body Language"
3. Kraked Unit – "En vrak"
4. Olivier Montel – "Disco King"
5. Kraked Unit – "Xavier la Fronde"
6. El Fudge – "One Fudge"
7. Kraked Unit – "La Ballade de Neus"
8. Kraked Unit – "Celia's Kiss"
9. Boban Marković – "Ivzorski biseri"
10. Beth Gibbons & Rustin Man – "Mysteries"
11. Kraked Unit – "C koi ce bordel"
12. Kraked Unit – "Poupées Russes"
13. Spleen – "Bitches on the Ground"
14. Kraked Unit – "La Reine des Queens"
15. Track Addicts – "Dutchy"