User Reviews

Alvin Toffler's "Future Shock" was required reading on college campuses across America back in 1972 and the alarmist book, "about the future and the shock that its arrival brings" was only a forerunner of the fears the 1970s grappled with. Many movies at the time jumped on the bandwagon with cautionary tales and one of the better ones was Alain Jessua's TRAITMENT DE CHOC (1973) which tells the story of Helene (Annie Girardot), a wealthy French fashion designer who has a mid-life crisis when her boyfriend leaves her for a younger woman. On the advice of a friend (Robert Hirsch), she checks into a revolutionary rejuvenation clinic run by the charismatic Dr. Devilers (Alain Delon) where the clientèle, "a microcosm of society" consisting of judges, politicians, bankers, and wealthy heirs, form a sort of secret sect. Helene feels great after the first injection but when her friend can no longer pay, he becomes a pariah in the tight-knit community and he tries to warn her away. The next day he commits suicide and Helene is determined to leave the spa against the doctor's advice until she's approached by two undocumented Portugese male help who separately plead with her to help them escape just before they disappear. Helene becomes intent on discovering the suddenly sinister clinic's mysterious secrets and doesn't hesitate to sleep with the doctor to find out...

The primitive "tribal" soundtrack reflects the film's premise that for all of man's technological advancements, the law of the jungle still holds with the strong preying on the weak (or, in this case, the rich feeding off the poor) in a society with more than its share of "disposables". The suspense builds slowly and the climax, although it's lost some impact after decades of similar denouements, is a shocker -but what's really scary is how little the rest of the world cares about the dreadful things Helene discovers. The similarly-themed SOYLENT GREEN was made the same year which shows that these "Me Decade" fears taken to the extreme were universal and continued to be reflected on the screen in such sci-fi films as WESTWORLD (1973), THE STEPFORD WIVES (1975), and DEATH RACE 2000 (1975). There's also a bit of "free love" commentary as the aptly named Dr. Devilers (get it?) casually sleeps with all his female patients and, compared to Hollywood films at the time, both the sympathetic treatment of a gay man (Hirsch) and the full-frontal nudity of Delon & Co. come as a bit of a shock even though both were "natural" and in context. Recommended.

Helene Masson, a busy executive from Paris goes for a special treatment at a spa where she meets a lot more than just to give her body a treat, and a rest from her busy schedule. The clinic where she is going to stay is run by an enigmatic man, Dr. Devilers, whose program gets fabulous results in restoring a youthful appearance and a special glow to its many repeat patients, that find what they are looking for at the hands of the able staff. Unfortunately, they will be eating a diet that includes a lot of sea grass in its menu.

It does not take long before Helene starts noticing the Portuguese workers moving like automatons. When one of them falls in the swimming pool, she jumps to save him from drowning. There are many things that do not make sense. Helene decides to investigate, something that takes her to uncharted territory. In doing so, Helene is suspected of wanting to destroy Dr. Devilers wonderful work. She will be shocked when she realizes what she has gotten herself into.

Director Alain Jessua directed this thriller with shades of science fiction we never saw. Because of its nudity, this film probably had limited release, but not knowing for sure, we could not even hazard a guess. One of the strengths of the film is the production design by Geo Huris, Yannis Kokkos, and Constantin Mejinsky. The setting for the film looks contemporary by today's standards. The achievement of Mr. Jessua lies on the great look he gave the picture, something that is rare in films of more recent vintage. The camera work of Jacques Robin works well, as does the original score by Mr. Jessua and Rene Koering.

Annie Girardot, one of the great French cinema actresses of all times, is excellent as Helene. Alain Delon, one of the handsomest faces of the world cinema, bares it all in a sequence that will be remembered for its frankness at a time when nudity well known actors did not show their charms for audiences to see. Robert Hirsch and Michael Duchaussoy are also featured.

"Traitement De Choc", a well-done thriller, is ahead of its time in several ways: a) it has a positive gay character, b) it has full-frontal nudity, even by the two leads (yes they show everything), c) it predates the fitness / wellness clubs fads. The talented writer-director Alain Jessua, who also co-wrote the wildly offbeat, jungle-flavored music score, builds the tension gradually, helped by the terrific performances of Annie Girardot, who also reveals a surprisingly splendid body (surprising because she was never really famous as a sex symbol), and Alain Delon, who is effective in a rare completely villainous turn. *** out of 4.

It is not possible for anybody to prevent films from getting negative publicity or becoming famous for 'wrong reasons'. French director Alain Jessua directed one important film in his long career which could easily belong to the above mentioned category. It is called 'Traitement De Choc'/Shock Treatment. For absolute puritans, the appearance of French actors Alain Delon and Annie Girardot in some nude scenes might be a cause of concern but for average viewers they provide a healthy dose of voyeurism which is something that is craved by all people. However, the true essence of a film cannot simply rest on the presence of just few sex scenes. This is precisely why a film like Shock Treatment is revolutionary as it was the first film in the history of cinema which heralded the use of human beings as guinea pigs for sadistic pleasures of a few denizens of a selfish capitalist society. Director Alain Jessua chose to highlight the sad plight of impoverished Portuguese boys who were deceived into selling their own bodies when they came to France in search of a better living. Shock treatment is not a horror film but some scenes are not for viewers with a weak heart. Lastly, if you have been enjoying actor Alain Delon's performances as a leading man then 'Shock Treatment' has an element of surprise in it. Watch it in order to explore it with your own eyes.

Burnt out French businesswoman Helene Masson (a fine and appealing portrayal by Annie Girardot) checks into an exclusive seaside clinic that specializes in rejuvenation treatments for rich people. Helene discovers that clinic head Dr. Devilers (an excellent and charming performance by Alain Delon) is doing some serious sinister stuff concerning said treatments,

Director/co-writer Alain Jessua relates the absorbing story at a steady pace, makes nice use of the coastal locations, grounds the premise in a credible workaday reality, and pulls out the startling stops at the dark and grim climax. Moreover, this film offers a strong and provocative subtext on man's basic fear of aging and obsession with staying young at any cost complete with a potent message on how the upper class live at the expense of the lower class. The notorious coed skinny dipping scene rates as a definite highlight. Great throbbing tribal score by Rene Koering, too. Well worth a watch.