Really that ineffectual?

Are French people really that hopelessly ineffectual? Is that the message Rivette intended to send? The reviews were right - nothing happens in this artsy Mexican standoff, except a kidnapping that accomplishes zilch (although the threatened branding did actually rouse me from a languid stupor for a second). And no, for the vast majority of the movie I felt no empathy or sympathy whatsoever for either lead. Fortunately, a better Duchess is being made (go to Youtube and search on "The Duchess Official Trailer" - out November 19, 2008) -- By the way, I've known real generals - they wouldn't put up with a coquette for even 15 seconds, let alone half a year.