Deciding to view a trio of auteur films for an ICM poll on the best movies of 2006,the first name which came to mind was Claude Chabrol. Happily finding that he made a title from that year,I got ready for the power of laughter.
View on the film:
For the seventh and final time she worked with Claude Chabrol, Isabelle Huppert gives an excellent performance as Charmant-Killman. Determined to peel all layers of corruption away, Huppert avoids having Killman deliver justice in a melodramatic style, by instead scratching away with a refined, forensic manner, which captures the professional stride Killman holds herself to.
Reuniting with Chabrol straight after this for The Girl Cut in Two (2007-also reviewed)François Berléand gives a very good turn as Humeau,with Huppert's performance being complimented by Berléand's attempt to escape Killman's gaze with slippery underhanded skills.
Cheekily stating in the credits that the film is not based on the " Affaire Elf" scandal, co-writer/(with Odile Barski) directing auteur Claude Chabrol and cinematographer Eduardo Serra unveil the corruption in stylish dissolves over Killman's power-play marriage troubles being contrasted with the power she has in the investigation.
A family affair with his sons Matthieu doing the score, and Thomas co-starring,along with wife Aurore being the script supervisor, the screenplay by Chabrol & Barski uses the "Elf affair" to continue Chabrol's clinical dissection of the bourgeoisie with the businessmen and politicians having an um-settling calm and self-confidence that they can slip out of any attempt to bring them down.
Going for more of a Drama rather than a Thriller, Chabrol gives Killman fight against the corporate system an oddly casual atmosphere, via little room being given to Killman's net widening in taking on the comedy of power.
View on the film:
For the seventh and final time she worked with Claude Chabrol, Isabelle Huppert gives an excellent performance as Charmant-Killman. Determined to peel all layers of corruption away, Huppert avoids having Killman deliver justice in a melodramatic style, by instead scratching away with a refined, forensic manner, which captures the professional stride Killman holds herself to.
Reuniting with Chabrol straight after this for The Girl Cut in Two (2007-also reviewed)François Berléand gives a very good turn as Humeau,with Huppert's performance being complimented by Berléand's attempt to escape Killman's gaze with slippery underhanded skills.
Cheekily stating in the credits that the film is not based on the " Affaire Elf" scandal, co-writer/(with Odile Barski) directing auteur Claude Chabrol and cinematographer Eduardo Serra unveil the corruption in stylish dissolves over Killman's power-play marriage troubles being contrasted with the power she has in the investigation.
A family affair with his sons Matthieu doing the score, and Thomas co-starring,along with wife Aurore being the script supervisor, the screenplay by Chabrol & Barski uses the "Elf affair" to continue Chabrol's clinical dissection of the bourgeoisie with the businessmen and politicians having an um-settling calm and self-confidence that they can slip out of any attempt to bring them down.
Going for more of a Drama rather than a Thriller, Chabrol gives Killman fight against the corporate system an oddly casual atmosphere, via little room being given to Killman's net widening in taking on the comedy of power.