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."

 

Les liens de sang (1978)

A homicide detective is trying to solve the brutal murder of  a 17-year-old girl.

From memory:  Top-notch crime thriller with psychological depth, good cast and cinematography, but made in a more mainstream style unusual for its director.

Halliwell (no star): "Dull psychological thriller, with stock characters and showing none of the flair that Chabrol has exhibited when examining the French middle classes under pressure."

Maltin***: "Interesting cast and Chabrol's cold, scientifically masterful direction make this less unpleasant and gory than it might have been."

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."

Les bonnes femmes (1960)

Four Parisian women navigate the world of romance and daily life looking to fulfill their dreams but often find real-life to be inescapable.