Black comedy thriller adapted from Patricia Highsmith's novel by director Claude Chabrol, starring Christophe Malavoy and Mathilda May. Following an unpleasant divorce, Robert leaves Paris and finds work in the Vichy countryside, where he becomes obsessed by his beautiful neighbour. But when the woman's jealous fiancé disappears, Robert finds himself suspected of murder.
Chabrol's mammoth career has encompassed great highs and lows, as well as many films like this thriller which just lack the stamp of his mastery. Patricia Highsmith's novel has been transposed from the USA to France, where Robert (Christophe Malavoy) has left Paris, and his psychologically abusive wife, for Vichy. In the middle of a screaming-match divorce, he obsessively watches the beautiful Juliette (Mathilda May), who responds by neglecting her dreary fiancé. When he disappears, the death-obsessed Robert becomes a suspect. Typically, Chabrol is less concerned with narrative than with his characters and clinically dissecting the French middle classes, who people his landscape. Elegantly acted by Malavoy as the menacing Robert, it was also notable for winning Mathilda May a César as most promising young actress.
| role | name |
|---|---|
| Robert | Christophe Malavoy |
| Juliette | Mathilda May |
| Veronique | Virginie Thévenet |
| Patrick | Jacques Penot |
| Commissioner | Jean-Pierre Kalfon |
| Marcello | Patrice Kerbrat |
| role | name |
|---|---|
| Director | Claude Chabrol |
