Naturellement (2002)

 

Since we're taking a look at another round of nudist films, let's have a look at this French film about a normal middle-aged couple who stay at a vacation house with friends - who turn out to be nudist. Also, check out the full list of nudism films covered on VZ1 here]

Sandra (Nanou Garcia) and Benoît (Christophe Le Masne), your average fuddy duddy couple, arrive at the vacation home in Northern France.

They are a bit shocked to see a nude woman by the pool.  She introduces herself as Sophie (Agathe Dronne).

They greet each other and Benoit doesn't quite no how to handle it.

Audrey (Sophie Cadot) arrives - fully clothed.

Batou (Ese Brume) as well - but not for long.  The couple are slack jawed as they watch all the vacation home guests strip to their birthday suits.

Sandra awkwardly searches for a room to change into her bathing suit.

She returns to find Benoit talking with Sophie

Sandra, wearing the most modest bathing suit of all time, is finding this all terribly awkward.

They have a nice dinner - but you can tell Sandra's mind is elsewhere, disengaged from the conversation.

That evening Sandra struggles with being the only one unable to get naked; perhaps she should at least give it a try.

In the early morning, she shuffles to the kitchen nude, before anyone is awake.  A phenomenal nude scene from Nanou Garcia.

She strains to close the cabinet ever-so-quietly to not wake anyone.

Suddenly the mailman (Pierre Berriau) walks in!

Sandra is horrified but tries her best to appear nonchalant.

And it keeps going - as Sandra has to sign for the package. A truly great scene - hilarious.

After that abysmal failure, Sandra returns to wearing clothes.

Sandra and Benoit are feeling like stick-in-the-muds

Watching Sophie rinse off.

The arrival of wild partiers Dorothée (Agnès Pontier), Dominique (Arthur Nauzyciel) and Dan (Antoine Fayard).

The festive atmosphere gets kicked up a notch.  Benoit tries to at least engage in small talk with Audrey.

He starts talking with Dorothée who is a free spirit, and convinces him to disrobe.

Sandra saw her husband with Dorothée and has had enough.  She leaves in a huff toward town, with Benoit chasing after her.

After a fight, they make up.  At a private spot around a lake, Sandra finally feels uninhibited and takes off her bathing suit behind a rock.

She stands atop the rock naked and dives in.

They embrace - but then  they hear the revellers approach - asking them if they enjoyed their private moment, because that's the end of their privacy. THE END

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 Pretty much a one-note film, with most of the time spent repeating the same trope of the fuddy-duddy in shock over the nudists.  But it does have heart, and Nanou Garcia is amazing - also pretty brave for such an established actress.   

  ★★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆4/10