Philip Roth's 'Deception' becomes Arnaud Desplechin's film 'Tromperie'

Arnaud Desplechin's film 'Tromperie' (Italian: 'Inganno'), adapted from Philip Roth's novel 'Deception', releases in Italian theaters on April 28 via No.Mad Entertainment srl. The cast includes Léa Seydoux, Denis Podalydès, Emmanuelle Devos, and Anouk Grinberg. Desplechin struggled for decades to adapt the novel, initially reading it in French and English, and even gifting it to collaborators during 'Comment je me suis disputé… (ma vie sexuelle)'. He later used the text for a DVD extra of 'Rois et Reine', performing the final scene with Devos. Roth saw it, called Desplechin, and encouraged him to adapt it similarly. Desplechin attempted stage adaptation for Podalydès but failed until the COVID-19 lockdown unlocked his approach. The film centers on an American writer exiled in London visited by his lover in his study, exploring themes of sexuality, antisemitism, trust, and fidelity. Desplechin notes the challenge of staging Roth's dialogue fragments without boring viewers, aiming to make each word regain its force. The director describes the study as the film's heart, a place where the writer listens and transcribes the words of displaced characters.