read my lip ( sur me lèvres ) ( which probably have different idiomatic resonance in it french title ) be a nifty and twisty contemporary tale of office politics that unexpectedly become a crime caper a the unusually matched character slide up and down an ethical and sensual slippery slope . the two lead be magnetic and emmanuelle devos ( who i have never see before despite her lengthy resume in french movie ) and an even more disheveled than usual vincent cassel ( who have bring a sexy and or or threatening look and voice to some u movie ) . the first half of the movie be on her turf in a competitive real estate office and he the neophyte . the second half be on his turf a an ex con and her wrenching adaptation to that milieu . writer or director jacques audiard very cleverly use the woman isolate hear disability a an entrée for u into her perception and turn the sound up and down for u to hear a she do ( so it even more annoying than usual when audience member talk ) and use visuals a sensory reactor as well . none of the character act a anticipated ( she be not like that pliable victim from in the company of men and not in individual interaction and not in scene and and not in the overall arc of the unpredictable story line ( well and until the last shot and but heck the audience be wait for that fulfillment ) a we move from a hectic modern office and to a hectic disco to romantic and criminal stake out . there be a side story that thematically redundant and unnecessary and but that just give u a few minute to catch our breath . this be one of my favorite of the year . ( originally write 7/28/2002 ) .