Usually, a film with a title like this would take a sentimental approach to display the hardships of the widely-perceived inferior sex in the world, or, quoting the overused phrase from the media; how women can't have it all. In contrast, Chabrol brings the truthful reality of how women precisely can be a lot of things at once, have contradicting traits even, that doesn't make them worth less than anyone because that's what a human being essentially is. Flawed, layered, soul-searching, can't be defined as a single thing, and can be fiercely ambitious in achieving what they want. Those things should be allowed for anyone on this earth regardless of their gender and that is exactly what Isabelle Huppert did in this film. She gave depth to Marie that sends the audience riding a roller coaster with her life journey, sometimes you root for her while other times you questioned her. But that should be okay because women can't be defined by a single thing, nor should be pitied at all times. What we should always do is support women and believe that we can all benefit from a world with no patriarchal system that only resulted in tragedy.
Review of Story of Women
