The movie ends with two womens laugh: Eva and Yvonne. Eva the former bored upper-class housewife leaves, contacting Yvonne. It is not a today, impulsive idea but well thought of. The number she had some time back is used. She changes her bourgeois life for high-class prostitution. "How long can I go" is her question in the diary. She is new here. Has to find her own style. And she does. Perfection! Later she offers her clients everything, whatever is wanted and wished. Even dominatrix. Eva has nothing to loose, receiving the clients with their wishes, whatever they want of her. Behind their 'boyish, shyness they want to be seen. Not looked at. As long as they pay. And they pay. Right from day one she meets the call-boy Chris. They move together and work together. And fall in love. Does it work: love and work? For her it does but not for the man-boy Chris. While she can keep apart work and love, does not mix work and love - it is difficult for Chris. The 'man'-boy Chris has not the capacity or possibility to keep 'it' apart. The result: jealousy when he sees her with her clients. Followed by what the German title says: 'Die flambierte (flambéed) Frau': burning in slow-motion she gets up and runs. Cut: Eva enters the café where all started. Joined by her friend Yvone. The waiter tells them to leave. Chris said so. Sitting on their chairs both are taken out on the street. The two laughing. Not a laugh of hate or pity but pure laugh with its root at the heart. What else? When men, actually boys, can not be taken serious for what they do. Just boys. As Evas clients. Some halfhearted dominant. Eva meets by chance her husband. Her answer is the turning point of the movie. Prostitution is part of the marriage: not payed. Eva was honest. She enjoys her new life. Without lies and 'as if', playing her part with which she is not good at.
Review of A Woman in Flames
