Jodie Foster in French Cinema A PRIVATE LIFE as a Shrink Who Shirks Her Sessions with Patients

The French-language film A PRIVATE LIFE which stars Jodie Foster as psychiatrist Lillian Steiner of Jewish heritage. It's intended as chic, cinematic character study in an artsy, psychological thriller. The movie requires a patient audience and a good analysis for a cogent understanding of its convoluted and dreamscape plot. The native French language and stylish urban setting lend the film a suave air for this muddled and mysterious storyline. Many of the scenes are shot with glorious fall colors, fashionable clothes and cozy cafes where cigarettes and carafes of cabernet abound. There's also a gratuitous sex scenes and confounding dream sequences. There's a lush atmosphere that creates an enticing flavor. Perhaps, this is to make the viewer less aware of a story going nowhere. What I'm inferring from the nebulous clues I observed is Steiner trying to understand what she missed in her sessions her female patient that blindsided her when she committed suicide. Steiner uses obsolete recording tapes to record her patients with the intent to review. Or at least this was what she meant to do. When Steiner goes to the apartment of her deceased patient to pay her respects, the widower lambasts her and she leaves disgraced but not before she may have released a dybbuk (evil spirit). The following day, the daughter of the deceased visits Steiner to try to understand why her mother killed herself. Unable to provide patient/confidential information, the daughter leaves in frustration. The hostilities of her patient's family led Steiner to surmise they're responsible for the break-in and vandalism to her place.  She involves the police and her ex to solve the case. There's a myriad of subplots that include Steiner's disgruntled patient, her estranged son, her ex with whom she has sex and a hypnotist with tricks up her wrist. For Francophiles, and movie goers with self-described discerning palettes, this mirepoix of surreal, enigmatic,  and cinematic treats, you may wish to partake; a bon appetite. Other's will see NOTHING aside wine, smoke and mirrors which is how Steiner's ex describes the psychiatric profession. "Knowing people's lives, secrets, without being able to act. Not being able to do anything. NOTHING AT ALL."