A thoroughly character-based thriller, so there's somewhat of a slow build-up to the bit where everybody gets dessert. In the meantime, a beautifully staged, photographed, acted and directed movie that even has an intrepid dog in it. The dénouement does feel a little deflated, like an unfortunate soufflé.
Jean Gabin, French national treasure, is a renowned chef/patron André Chatelin (a 'Traiteur') in his 50s in the long-lost Les Halles area of central (ventral?) Paris. Watching this movie wouldn't be a bad way of starting in the catering trade, then restaurant scenes are so authentic.
When his ex-wife (Gabrielle)'s gorgeous daughter (possibly the reason for the divorce) turns up telling him Gabrielle is dead and she (Catherine) is destitute, good-natured André is drawn into a plot to murder him and inherit his money. The way that Catherine succeeds in tying up everyone in her web of lies, while remaining the supposed victim, is extremely well depicted and suspenseful.
The said dénouement, heavily involving César the shaggy dog of the young, duped medical student Gerard Delacroix, is a little anticlimactic, but the journey is filled with stunningly good scenes, characters and dialogue.
Jean Gabin, French national treasure, is a renowned chef/patron André Chatelin (a 'Traiteur') in his 50s in the long-lost Les Halles area of central (ventral?) Paris. Watching this movie wouldn't be a bad way of starting in the catering trade, then restaurant scenes are so authentic.
When his ex-wife (Gabrielle)'s gorgeous daughter (possibly the reason for the divorce) turns up telling him Gabrielle is dead and she (Catherine) is destitute, good-natured André is drawn into a plot to murder him and inherit his money. The way that Catherine succeeds in tying up everyone in her web of lies, while remaining the supposed victim, is extremely well depicted and suspenseful.
The said dénouement, heavily involving César the shaggy dog of the young, duped medical student Gerard Delacroix, is a little anticlimactic, but the journey is filled with stunningly good scenes, characters and dialogue.