Amazon.com video review:
Henri-Georges Clouzot's 1955 French thriller Diabolique
is the epitome of noir. As a twisted plot unravels, the scene
is set for murder and deceit. The Devils (a.k.a. Les
Diaboliques) live at a rundown boys home with Michel Delasalle
(Paul Meurisse) as the cruel headmaster treating the students with
disdain and indignity. His wife, Christina Delasalle (played by
Véra Clouzot), an ex-nun and owner of the school before their
marriage, experiences the brunt of his abuse. He humiliates Christina
in front of the student body and faculty and then flaunts his
insidious affairs in front of her. Christina rebels quietly, although
her heart condition leaves her vulnerable and too fragile to resist
her husband's brute strength. Ironically, it is Michel's mistress
Nicole Horner (Simone Signoret), another teacher at the school, who
encourages Christina to plot a sinister revenge against him. As the
abuse continues, "Cricri" is forced to make a decision as she realizes
her husband will never grant her a divorce and give up the
school. Since both divorce and murder are sins against God,
Christina's religious beliefs conflict with Nicole's manipulation and
ideas of revenge. As she is forced to choose, her actions result in a
surprising and suspenseful turn of events that promise to keep you on
the edge of your seat! (English subtitles) --Michele Goodson
Amazon.com video review:
Diabolique is Jeremiah Chechik's 1996 revamped version
of the 1955 French film noir tale of two teachers at a boys
school conspiring to kill the headmaster (played in the remake by
Chazz Palminteri of Jade and The Usual Suspects). The
three assemble an intriguing triangle of revenge and deceit as the
headmaster's abused and humiliated wife and mistress team up to get
even. Mia Baran is the fragile wife with a delicate heart condition,
portrayed by Isabelle Adjani (Queen Margot), and Sharon Stone
(Basic Instinct) is the plotting, contemptuous
mistress. Together they set out to wreak an unfortunate revenge, but
as the story reveals itself, miscalculations abound as hidden agendas
and secret lives are unexpectedly exposed. Chechik's new look and
timeless setting give film noir audiences something neoteric
and seducing to play with. A welcomed change to the film's story line
is the fresh addition of Kathy Bates as a daunting private
detective. Fans of Stone's will not be disappointed with the latest
version of her "I-could-give-a-damn smoldering broad" technique and
anyone not yet familiar with Chazz Palminteri will love watching him
succeed as the ultimately despicable headmaster. --Michele
Goodson
