The Vixen (1969)

What makes The Vixen special is the way it turns a seemingly light setup—a famous womanizer trying to dictate his memoirs to a new secretary—into a sly, stylish game of power, performance, and desire. Brigitte Bardot brings an easy, magnetic intelligence to Clara, and the film lets her presence do more than decorate the frame; she becomes the quiet force that reshapes the room with every look and line. Jean Aurel keeps the tone flirtatious and tart, balancing comedy and romantic heat with a knowing wink, while Maurice Ronet plays Jérôme with just enough charm to make his vanity entertaining rather than merely tiresome. It’s very much a product of its era—provocative, talky, and unapologetically adult—so if you’re allergic to 1960s sexual politics you may bristle, but if you’re in the mood for a breezy, sophisticated sparring match with Bardot at the center, it’s hard to resist.

The Vixen is clearly aiming for a cheeky, adult-leaning blend of romance, comedy, and behind-the-scenes literary drama, with Brigitte Bardot’s star power doing a lot of the heavy lifting. But if you’re expecting a sharp, modern take on gender dynamics or a story where the “secretary to a womanizer” setup gets meaningfully challenged, you may find it dated, indulgent, and more interested in Jérôme’s ego than Clara’s interior life. The pacing can feel leisurely to the point of aimless, and the humor often relies on a smug, old-school “charming cad” energy that won’t land for everyone. Still, if you’re in the mood for late-60s European gloss, flirtatious banter, and watching attractive people circle each other in stylish settings, it can be an easy, mildly naughty time.