Soon, though, it descends into several discrete modes of misogyny. Terry moonily elevates Catherine while Phil treats her with an earthier near-contempt. In the view of the movie, the character has earned both objectifications.

The conniving heartbreaker is eventually forced to confront the Damage She Has Done. But she proves to have a postmodern trick up her sleeve.

Franco plays a glib director who argues that sexual harassment is necessary to cinematic art. (That Franco has faced real-life allegations of exploitative behavior makes these scenes extra discomfiting .) Juno Temple incarnates another feminine cliché, the grasping harpy.

Sometimes the only reason a grown man doesn’t tear his head off is because of physical limitations.

Pretenders

Not rated. Running time: 1 hour 35 minutes.