It’s snappy enough but the English title of the latest film from director Ivan Calbérac (The Tasting) doesn’t really capture the spirit of this charming and funny film. The original, N’avoue Jamais (Never Confess), is a lot closer to the mark.

The story begins with a birthday party for Annie (Sabine Azéma), the wife of a retired French army officer François (André Dussollier). It’s clear from the outset that he’s used to running the show. He’s even written a birthday ode to Annie to the tune of La Marseillaise. Glances exchanged between Annie and François’ three adult children tell us everything we need to know.

Sabine Azéma and Andre Dussollier in Riviera Revenge

But things are about to change. Pottering around the attic, François stumbles on a cache of old love letters tied up in a red ribbon. They’re addressed to Annie but they’re not from him. They’re lovingly signed “Boris” and one particularly spicy missive refers to Annie’s “erupting Venus triangle”.

Furious, he confronts Annie, who admits to a fling some 40 years ago, while François was on active service. As far as she’s concerned, it’s water under the bridge. For...