- Film Review
- Reviewed By Trevor Johnston
-
3 out of 5
A ruthless corporate executive exploits her female underling's hard work and takes the credit herself until the put-upon junior decides to fight back in this sleek boardroom thriller, the final film from versatile French director Alain Corneau, who died in 2010. Continuing her strong run of French-speaking roles, Kristin Scott-Thomas offers a master class in ruthless, elegant scheming, though Ludivine Sagnier's seemingly benign protégé proves a quick learner. The entertaining first half contains most of the film's highlights, since Scott-Thomas and her ice-pick smile are centre stage. In the second half the focus is on Sagnier but she hasn't the presence to withstand the scrutiny of Corneau's deadly serious direction. This is never less than classy, but it's not a fully satisfying experience. However, the interplay between the two very different leads and the involving, increasingly dark story keep things moving along nicely.
Plot Summary
A ruthless executive delights in using mind games to torment and manipulate her naive new assistant. However, she underestimates her employee's ambition, and a vicious battle of wills develops when she begins fighting back. Thriller, starring Ludivine Sagnier and Kristin Scott Thomas. In French, English and Japanese.
Cast and crew
Cast
- Isabelle Guérin
- Ludivine Sagnier
- Christine
- Kristin Scott Thomas
- Philippe
- Patrick Mille
- Daniel
- Guillaume Marquet
- Gérard
- Gérald Laroche
- The lawyer
- Julien Rochefort
- The judge
- Olivier Rabourdin
- Claudine
- Marie Guillard
- Gérard's assistant
- Jean-Pierre Leclerc
Crew
- Director
- Alain Corneau
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