2 VIEWS OF ROMANTIC OBSESSION.

Byline: Bob Strauss Film Critic

AUDREY TAUTOU made that goofy movie ``Amelie'' work on the sheer strength of her Gallic gamine charm. But even in that overcooked trifle, there was something disturbing about her intense adorableness, a compulsive oddity that made you think really getting to know her would be anything but delightful.

So a film like ``He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not ...'' comes as welcome evidence that Tautou can handle much more dramatic material, but not as much of a surprise. As an art student being consumed by a frustrating affair with an older, married doctor, the French actress expertly paints a portrait of obsessiveness, stroke by agonizing stroke. It's fascinating to watch Tautou's beguiling smile gradually shift into a grimace, and perhaps an expression of something even more alarming.

Perhaps. ``He Loves Me's'' plot contains a certain thriller element. Explaining too much about the movie and its characters would ruin it.

What can be revealed is that it's basically one story told twice, first from the perspective of Tautou's love-struck Angelique, and then again as seen by the object of her affection, Loic (Samuel Le Bihan from ``Brotherhood of the Wolf'' and ``Three Colors: Red''), a distinguished cardiologist.

Although she knows he's married (to a pregnant lawyer, yet), Angelique can't understand why Loic avoids her after an incredible romantic connection was made. Her friends try to explain to her that she's been had, but reasons for hope that he'll leave his wife and run off with her keep emerging, and keep Angelique going. Going deeper, ever deeper.

For his part, Loic has had more experience than he's wished to of female patients in chronic need of, um, heart examinations. Things aren't that great at home, either, although he at least appears to genuinely love his increasingly suspicious wife. Loic is either a very cold user or the epitome of the clueless male. Either way, things do not go well for him.

``He Loves Me'' is the first feature film from writer-director Laetitia Colombani. And while it is obviously as gimmick-reliant as a sleepless night is long, it is squarely in the French film tradition of tricky narratives played with sincere commitment and detailed psychological depth. Colombani deceives and manipulates viewers with a veteran's verve, but we never feel cheated. While there are aspects of her premise that seem slight and convenient, it is evident that, with a few more movies under her belt, Colombani could be a world-class practitioner of entertainingly serious suspense.

HE LOVES ME, HE LOVES ME NOT ... - Three stars

(Not rated: violence, nudity, language)

Starring: Audrey Tautou, Samuel Le Bihan, Isabelle Carre, Clement Sibony.

Director: Laetitia Colombani.

Running time: 1 hr. 32 min.

Playing: Town Center 5, Encino; Playhouse 7, Pasadena; Showcase, Hollywood; Westside Pavilion, West L.A.; University 6, Irvine.

In a nutshell: Compelling, if gimmicky, French romantic thriller that examines an erotic fixation from first her, then his, viewpoint.

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In ``He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not ...'' Audrey Tautou finds herself consumed by an affair with an older, married doctor.