Grand Central

With the backdrop of one of France's string of nuclear power plants, Rebecca Zlotowski's second feature after Belle Epiné engages the attention from the opening scenes, which set the mood for an everyday tale of lust and desire.

The couple in question are Tahar Rahim (from A Prophet and one of the most visible young actors in Cannes with a major role in The Past) and Lea Seydoux, both exploited by the plant's sub-contractor to carry out decontamination work.

Rahim and his two mates (among them Johan Libéreau) have a reckless attitude to the chance of making considerable money which blinds them to the risks involved. If they are exposed to too much radiation they could easily put both their health and their means of making a living in jeopardy.

Dardenne brothers regular Oliver Gourmet is tasked with training the new recruits while Denis Menochet is the mature foreman whose girlfriend (Seydoux) throws herself at the chance of an encounter with someone of her own generation.

The scenes of the workplace have a commendable clinical atmosphere while the exploitation of the workers is a subject that someone like Ken Loach might have felt kinship with.

The tempestuous romance in some ways is the least interesting aspect of the film. Although the actors acquit themselves with some distinction the performances cannot quite disguise the one dimensional aspect of the characters as created by Zlotowski, who doesn't deliver on her promises.