With having heard a lot about the thrillers from auteur French New Wave film maker Claude Chabrol over the years ,I decided that I would take a look at some of his work when watching 100 French films over 100 days. Talking to a DVD seller about Chabrol's work,I found out about a rather overlooked Chabrol movie,which led to me getting ready for a double tour of Chabrol.
View on the film:
Spinning the opening credits with swirls of colour,co-writer/(along with Paul Gégauff) directing auteur Claude Chabrol & cinematographer Henri Decaë dissect the bourgeoisie lifestyle with masterful style,as elegant tracking shots pick up on the stunningly designed house of Marcoux,with the vibrant colours hiding the murky intent of the family members.
Reflecting what is going on in the minds of the Marcoux's,Chabrol cuts into the bourgeoisie with thriller glass covered in grime,which along with reflecting the true Marcoux's,also reveals how murky the family members are.
For what was just his 3rd film, Chabrol and Gégauff adaptation of Stanley Ellin's novel impressively sets out major themes that Chabrol would expand upon in the future. Unlock the possessions of the Marcoux,the writers tear their bourgeoisie/ materialistic lives into a 1000 pieces, by making each of the family members more concerned about their possessions than the lives and deaths of those nearest to them.
Building a foundation of dark Drama to the bourgeoisie,the writers chop the foundation down with sharp Thriller cuts,that along with placing a dazzling murder-set piece at the centre,also fully unveils how lacking in remorse each of the Marcoux's are.
Joined by a chirpy Bernadette Lafont as the maid, Madeleine Robinson gives a great icy performance as Thérèse,whose discovery of the affair allows Robinson to stab Thérèse with a ruthlessness over keeping the power within the family. Neatly contrasting Robinson's frozen gaze, Antonella Lualdi gives a terrific, enthusiastic performance as Léda.
Trying to balance keeping a hand on the family cash and a hand on Léda, Jacques Dacqmine gives an excellent performance as Henri Marcoux,whose dusty, stubborn feelings smoothly fit in with the rotten to the core beliefs of the family,as Henri takes Léda on a double tour of the Marcoux home.
View on the film:
Spinning the opening credits with swirls of colour,co-writer/(along with Paul Gégauff) directing auteur Claude Chabrol & cinematographer Henri Decaë dissect the bourgeoisie lifestyle with masterful style,as elegant tracking shots pick up on the stunningly designed house of Marcoux,with the vibrant colours hiding the murky intent of the family members.
Reflecting what is going on in the minds of the Marcoux's,Chabrol cuts into the bourgeoisie with thriller glass covered in grime,which along with reflecting the true Marcoux's,also reveals how murky the family members are.
For what was just his 3rd film, Chabrol and Gégauff adaptation of Stanley Ellin's novel impressively sets out major themes that Chabrol would expand upon in the future. Unlock the possessions of the Marcoux,the writers tear their bourgeoisie/ materialistic lives into a 1000 pieces, by making each of the family members more concerned about their possessions than the lives and deaths of those nearest to them.
Building a foundation of dark Drama to the bourgeoisie,the writers chop the foundation down with sharp Thriller cuts,that along with placing a dazzling murder-set piece at the centre,also fully unveils how lacking in remorse each of the Marcoux's are.
Joined by a chirpy Bernadette Lafont as the maid, Madeleine Robinson gives a great icy performance as Thérèse,whose discovery of the affair allows Robinson to stab Thérèse with a ruthlessness over keeping the power within the family. Neatly contrasting Robinson's frozen gaze, Antonella Lualdi gives a terrific, enthusiastic performance as Léda.
Trying to balance keeping a hand on the family cash and a hand on Léda, Jacques Dacqmine gives an excellent performance as Henri Marcoux,whose dusty, stubborn feelings smoothly fit in with the rotten to the core beliefs of the family,as Henri takes Léda on a double tour of the Marcoux home.