Les fantômes du chapelier (1982)

 

Labbé is a quiet hatter in a small town, living with his handicapped wife who never goes out. His neighbour, a tailor, is fascinated by him. A series of female murders shakes the town. Is Labbé involved?

From memory: In this film, Claude Chabrol seems to sum up his mastery of the art with a slickly made, macabre, ironic crime story full of Hitchcock elements and top performances by Serrault and Aznavour.​

Maltin*1/2: "Disappointing murder mystery...Potentially exciting thriller is badly handled." 

 

Tirez sur le pianiste (1960)

A washed-up classical pianist bottoms out after his wife's suicide — stroking the keys in a Parisian bar and, when his brothers get in trouble with gangsters, he inadvertently gets dragged into the chaos and is forced to rejoin the family he once fled.

Wonderfully playful and at times surreal and absurdist take on Film Noir that enthuses by its esprit and sheer joy of taking a plot wherever it may go.

Halliwell*: "Fair copy of an American film noir, not especially interesting except for its sharp observation."

Maltin****: "Atmospheric early Truffaut gem...This film, more than any other, reflects the influence of Hollywood low-budget melodramas on Truffaut and his cinematic style."

Tirez sur le pianiste (1960)

On the set: Charles Aznavour and Marie Dubois