Joining in the discussion on French Cinema taking place on the new IMDb boards, I got into a really fun exchange with a fellow IMDber about the best titles by auteur Claude Chabrol. Having this title on the side waiting to view for months, the discussion got me in the mood for my 11th film from the credits of Claude Chabrol.
View on the film:
Revealing in a later interview that this was the title where he realized that in the murder mystery genre his interest was not in the solving of a case,but wanting to "study the human behavior of people involved in murder", co-writer/ (with Paul Gégauff) directing auteur Claude Chabrol & cinematographer Jean Rabier display a crystallized vision, shimming in stylish tracking shots across the windows Why sees Thomas and Frédérique wealth reflecting from.
Along with indulging in his taste for fine food on screen, Chabrol continues dissecting the bourgeoisie, in Frédérique lavishly throwing money at any problem, until Why revealing that her desire can't be paid for, with the desire being Why wanting to transform into Frédérique.
Including the lesbian sub-plot as an attempt to boost the box office, (the film ended up not being successful)the screenplay by Chabrol and Gégauff does sadly fit into the era of lesbian lovers not being able to have a happy ending,but the writers overcome this with a sharp exploration of Chabrol's continuing motifs.
Wrapping Why around Frédérique, the writers brilliantly dip into Neo-Noir mind-games, fuelled by Frédérique's pulling Why along, as she embraces Thomas. Opening Why to an exploration of her identity, the writers wonderfully have her purity of love be grinned down by obsession of Frédérique, and the bourgeoisie gluttony of Thomas and Why.
Proving that three's a crowd, Jean-Louis Trintignant gives a very good performance as Thomas, whose lack of warmth has Trintignant freeing him up to be a vessel for Frédérique's passions. Finding herself becoming an outcast, Jacqueline Sassard gives an incredibly delicate, subtle turn as Why, with Sassard bringing out in her body language a deep love for Frédérique,that is left shattered.
Stealing everyone's hearts like a merciless Femme Fatale,Stéphane Audran gives a fantastic performance as Frédérique, via Audran giving Frédérique a compassionate façade that causes Why's obsession to grow.
View on the film:
Revealing in a later interview that this was the title where he realized that in the murder mystery genre his interest was not in the solving of a case,but wanting to "study the human behavior of people involved in murder", co-writer/ (with Paul Gégauff) directing auteur Claude Chabrol & cinematographer Jean Rabier display a crystallized vision, shimming in stylish tracking shots across the windows Why sees Thomas and Frédérique wealth reflecting from.
Along with indulging in his taste for fine food on screen, Chabrol continues dissecting the bourgeoisie, in Frédérique lavishly throwing money at any problem, until Why revealing that her desire can't be paid for, with the desire being Why wanting to transform into Frédérique.
Including the lesbian sub-plot as an attempt to boost the box office, (the film ended up not being successful)the screenplay by Chabrol and Gégauff does sadly fit into the era of lesbian lovers not being able to have a happy ending,but the writers overcome this with a sharp exploration of Chabrol's continuing motifs.
Wrapping Why around Frédérique, the writers brilliantly dip into Neo-Noir mind-games, fuelled by Frédérique's pulling Why along, as she embraces Thomas. Opening Why to an exploration of her identity, the writers wonderfully have her purity of love be grinned down by obsession of Frédérique, and the bourgeoisie gluttony of Thomas and Why.
Proving that three's a crowd, Jean-Louis Trintignant gives a very good performance as Thomas, whose lack of warmth has Trintignant freeing him up to be a vessel for Frédérique's passions. Finding herself becoming an outcast, Jacqueline Sassard gives an incredibly delicate, subtle turn as Why, with Sassard bringing out in her body language a deep love for Frédérique,that is left shattered.
Stealing everyone's hearts like a merciless Femme Fatale,Stéphane Audran gives a fantastic performance as Frédérique, via Audran giving Frédérique a compassionate façade that causes Why's obsession to grow.