Hit List

Annie Girardot and François Marthouret are best known in France as comedy players, which makes their performances in this bruising vigilante picture all the more commendable. Adapted from Gérard Moreau's novel Nathalie, or The Punishment, the plot has Marthouret's kindly cop keeping his distance while grieving mother Girardot picks off the gangsters responsible for her daughter's death. Alain Bonnot's second feature rather revels in the violent nature of the revenge, but - thanks to Girardot's chillingly calculated portrayal - the film's power comes more from the ferocity of her hatred than the bloodiness of her retribution.