France has a tradition of outrageous comedies, and this one is executed with great ease. "Half a Lifetime's Affinity" may span eighteen springs, but holding hands does not necessarily mean being intimate lovers. Everything is left unsaid. Such stories usually revolve around impoverished young men and courtesans. A poor young man falls in love with a virtuous, seemingly glamorous yet internally sorrowful woman who has been forced into prostitution, leading to conflicts with the madam, society, and his family. In the end, these two simple and good-hearted individuals either part ways and die for their love or lead an ordinary but happy life together.
The plot alone is already quite absurd: male and female secret agents infiltrate an opera class, aiming to uncover potential confidential information about a widow student. Instead, they find the opera class resembling a spy camp where everyone harbors ill intentions, all circling around the widow. Beneath the dense barrage of comedic moments lies a deeper exploration of music, modern desires, and the loss of purity. All characters are racing against timeāthe widow's dream of becoming a singer arrives too late; the female spy regrets her missed opportunities for motherhood; the male dancer chases the remnants of his youth, while only the male spy appears prematurely weathered.
The singing class becomes a place of great liberation, both physically and mentally. The depictions of sexuality are bold, with witty and insightful dialogues. The plot develops in a whimsical and unrestrained manner, carving out its own unique style.