'5 to 7': Romance with an older woman

5 to 7 is a small, dreamy romance between a boy and the woman who guides him into adulthood.

Victor Levin, who also penned the script, makes his directorial debut with the story of young Brian (Star Trek's Anton Yelchin), an aspiring writer who spends his days tapping out stories that are rejected by the most prestigious of literary magazines. While on a walk in a New York that no longer seems to exist (cellphones are not constantly affixed to anyone's hands, Brian's rejection letters come on real paper), he meets Arielle (Bérénice Marlohe), who, for some reason, is intrigued by Brian.

While trying to court the gorgeous French woman, Brian finds she is married with two kids, but is free to play out her own dalliances from 5 to 7 p.m. It's a French concept, Arielle explains: that time between work and home when a man could visit his mistress without having to explain to his wife where he was. That's the deal she's struck with her own French diplomat husband, Valery (Lambert Wilson), who has a mistress of his own (Olivia Thirlby). They each get their two-hour fling, and if plans go accordingly, the marriage stays strong.

The chemistry between Brian and Arielle is more discussed than felt, but it's in his visits with his parents (Frank Langella and Glenn Close), often touching and funny while staying broad, that Brian's true feelings of ambiguity about his relationship arise.

Everything seems to be romanticized in 5 to 7: its New York locale, the French lifestyle, the life of rising writer. Cinematographer Arnaud Potier gives the film a dreamy haze befitting its themes.

But the problem with 5 to 7 is that the most important romance, between Brian and Arielle, never feels real. His infatuation makes sense: She's gorgeous and worldly. But it's not entirely clear why she deigns to spend time with him.

One of the loveliest parts of the movie is when Levin focuses on placards affixed to benches in Central Park where lovers can permanently declare their feelings. These small signs often reveal more romance in a sentence than 5 to 7 does throughout the entire film.

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5 to 7 **1/2 (Out of four stars)

Directed by Victor Levin. With Anton Yelchin, Bérénice Marlohe, Frank Langella, Glenn Close. Distributed by IFC.
Running time: 1 hour, 37 mins.
Parent's Guide: R (some sexual material).
Playing at: Ritz Bourse.