How Much Do You Love Me?

After a stroke of luck changes François’s finances, he wanders into a Pigalle bar with a surreal idea in mind. He offers Daniela, a sex worker he has chosen, a fixed monthly payment to share his home and life as his wife for as long as his fortune lasts. The arrangement is blunt, transactional, and painted with Blier's wry humor. Instead of a conventional romance, the plot threads a tense ballet of money, loneliness, and mistaken expectations. Daniela's presence unsettles François in ways he didn't anticipate, while those around them react with skepticism and curiosity. What begins as a cash backed proposition slowly tests the boundaries between affection, loyalty, and personal limits.

Directed by Bertrand Blier, How Much Do You Love Me? arrived in 2005 with an original screenplay by Blier himself. This French comedy drama pairs Monica Bellucci and Bernard Campan in a provocative setup that tests affection against money. It reflects Blier's signature blend of comedy with social critique.

Critical responses were mixed, with some praising Bellucci's presence and Blier's sharp dialogue while others found the premise heavy handed. The film centers on the tension between financial calculus and genuine feeling, scrutinizing how wealth reshapes trust, intimacy, and the illusion of commitment. This tone keeps the narrative buoyant, even as it's raising questions around power and consent.

The movie contributed to discussions about the commodification of intimate relationships in mid 2000s French cinema. Bellucci's star power and Blier's signature blunt humor kept the premise in viewers' minds, prompting conversations about aging desire, autonomy, and how money can blur moral boundaries. In conversations after screenings, viewers debated whether Blier's stance is critical or approving, and whether Daniela's agency shifts as her price changes.

There were no major awards nominations tied to the film, underscoring its status as a provocative but polarizing title within Blier's catalog. While it drew attention for its provocative premise and performances, it did not secure prominent recognition at the major film awards. Some festival programmers noted its boldness.