Sunday, May 31, 2009
PARISIAN PATRICIDE
Today's movie was the NYTimes Best 1176 Film, Claude Chabrol's
with Isabelle Huppert in her first starring role.
A juvenile delinquent, Violette gets in over her head with a double life. Based on a "true life" story, the wages of sin are increasingly expensive.
This is a great film to look at. If you like the period, as I do, watching the 30's life go by is fascinating. Set design and decoration are superb.
The story itself is extreme, the NYTimes guy says Hitchockian. And there is a kind of empathy or something with Violette. But she is a right bitch when it comes down to it.
Some think this is Chabrol's best film. Dunno about that. It was pretty good, but once is enough. Some of it gave me a headache. A slow motion trainwreck of a young life.
The major emphasis is on the crime and the aftermath is sort of rushed. No courtroom drama. Lots of screaming reporters and nasty crowd scenes sort of spoil the ambience of the film.
But, that is OK. I was glad to see it get over and for Violette to get what was coming to her.
I will give this a 3 out of Netflix5.
Labels: best films
