Violette Nozière (1978)

 

Coup de Torchon (1981)

 

A pathetic police chief, humiliated by everyone around him, suddenly wants a clean slate in life - and resorts to drastic means to do so.

From memory: This adaptation of a Jim Thompson novel is a very dark satirical drama, full of black humor, masterfully directed in an African setting, with a remarkable performance by Noiret amidst a likewise great cast.

Halliwell (no star): "Well-made, heavy-going study of mania."

Maltin***1/2: "Strong, disturbing black comedy...Fascinating film eventually overplays its hand, but enthralling most of the way, with marvelously shaded performance by Noiret."

 

8 Femmes (2002)

A man is murdered, and the eight women in his household each seem to be more eager than the others to know the truth.

A tongue-in cheek homage to Agatha Christie-styled murder mysteries, staged as a closed-room musical and with an otherwise great cast playing their roles in exaggerated hysterics, is not really something one can feel nostalgic for.

On rewatching: Watchable, but could have been so much better...

Halliwell**: "Highly artificial, witty, enjoyable pastiche of a country house murder mystery, with bravura performances from its stellar cast, representing four generations of French acting, who burst into song at unexpected moments."

Maltin**1/2: "Wonderful opportunity to watch some of France's most formidable females in an odd whodunit-melodrama-musical...Fun to a degree, especially when the actresses sing and dance, but awfully forced."

Isabelle Huppert

Sauve qui peut (la vie) (1980)

An examination of sexual relationships, in which three protagonists interact in different combinations.

From memory: Godard's 'return' to mainstream cinema, if you dare call it that, reveals a new, sovereign handling of image, sound, music and editing; the result is a complex, irritating, but likewise fascinating work of art.

Halliwell*: "Godard's return to more commercial cinema is intermittently interesting, but lacks the challenge and playfulness of his best work."

Maltin**1/2: "Self-conscious account...Godard's "comeback" film was widely overrated, and certainly can't compare with his best work of the past."

Violette Nozière (1978)

In an interwar France struggling with profound social and political change, 18-year-old Violette Noziere rebels against the constraints of her claustrophobic, working-class (and possibly incestuous) family, with troubling consequences.

Excellent true-case period murder drama is a bit unusual work by this director, but it manages to recreate the enigma of the crime, and Isabelle Huppert is extraordinary in the title role.

Halliwell*: "Oddly erratic but interesting recapitulation of a famous French murder case, not quite typical of its director."

Maltin**: "Slow-moving...Huppert sleepwalks through the role, and Chabrol lacks his usual directorial flair."

Merci pour le chocolat (2000)

A young woman discovers that she may have been switched at birth and presents herself to her possible father And slowly discovers the dark secrets that connect her family with his.

Typical for its director this is a meticulously made satire of French/Swiss bourgeois society with a somewhat puzzling plot and an unexciting ending.

On re-watching:  I still agree with my initial opinion; the ending is a bit disappointing.

Halliwell*: "Icy, ambiguous thriller that exposes the passionate screts that underlie an apparently conventional bourgeois family."

Maltin**1/2: "Subdued psychological thriller is mostly nuanced talk, with Chabrol favorite Huppert well suited to the role of perverse matriarch."

Mon pire cauchemar (2011)

After two guys become best friends, one's mom -- a prim, proper career woman -- meets the other's dad, who lives out of his van.

Modern-day screwball comedy is more satirical than humorous; against all odds, Isabelle Huppert and Benoît Poelvoorde make it work.

Isabelle Huppert

César et Rosalie (1972)

Cesar is in love with Rosalie, but Rosalie isn't making it easy for him, especially when her old flame enters the picture.

A wildly meandering story of a ménage à trois works mostly due to its excellent cast, but its plot is not really that interesting.

Halliwell*: "Wryly amusing comedy for adults."

Maltin***: "Appealing stars in typically French story of a ménage à trois..."

Amour (2012)

An octogenarian couple are cultivated, retired music teachers, but one day, the wife has a stroke, and the couple's bond of love is severely tested.

Intensely realistic, detailed  and gripping study of a relationship confronted with aging and physical deterioration; the lead performances are meticulous and for them alone worth the watch; arguably, one of the director's best achievements.

Maltin***1/2: "With that simple storyline, writer-director Haneke crafts a double portrait with depth, restraint, and deep emotion, not to mention superb acting. Unsentimental, as one would expect from the filmmaker, and difficult to watch for anyone who has lived through this experience."

L'Avenir (2016)

 

 

A philosophy teacher soldiers through the death of her mother, getting fired from her job, and dealing with a husband who is cheating on her.

 

Sleight of hand study of a middle-aged woman's life in dissolution follows the proceedings so subtly as if impartial, but (thanks to Huppert and a strong cast) manages to celebrate her coping with all the adversities.

 

 

Elle (2016)

A successful businesswoman gets caught up in a game of cat and mouse as she tracks down the unknown man who raped her.

On the surface a simple rape-revenge story is ingeniously turned into a complex and at times riddling study a woman dealing with the adversities of her life;  and Isabelle Huppert delivers an impeccable performance.

Loulou (1980)

When a middle-class Parisian housewife, married to possessive husband, meets street thug Loulou , her middle-class respectability is thrown out the window and she leaves her husband for Loulou.

This movie offers two brilliant lead performances and works as an in-depth milieu study, but the plot meanders without a clear focus.

Halliwell (no star): "Curious but not particularly interesting character study, watchable mainly for its detail."

Maltin***1/2: "Two leads have terrific sexual rapport in dynamic star vehicle."

Violette Nozière (1978)

Isabelle Huppert

Bio:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isabelle_Huppert