Such an evocative film, Becker using the small details of fashion, decor, and social hierarchies to create a natural world instead of an ostentatious period piece. I'm continually amazed by his subtle touch.

#382

I enjoyed it quite a lot: it looks reeeeaaaaally pretty and tells a good yarn. The only reason I'm not more sold on it is that I could never really care for the main couple: their relationship seemed to be based purely on sexual attraction meaning that all the harm caused due to the supposed "love" between them never really carried as much dramatic weight as I'd like.

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# 314

It's such a pretty and charming film that it's hard not to enjoy it on some level. Besides the photography Signoret is oddly captivating and the rest of the cast is interesting as well, though the film never reveals as much as it hints at. The story's nothing to write home about but it's fun, tense at the appropriate moments, and the ending is quite fitting. Despite all this it fails to really make the impact it seems to strive for, leaving a beautiful and very good, but not quite great, film.

This film is in desperate need of a more charismatic leading lady. Simone Signoret wears the most unappealing smirk throughout the first half, a smug and amused little smile. She comes off like a cold fish, and that's really the problem with this whole movie. It lacks the passion it so anxiously attempts to convey. Nonetheless, it must be noted for its luminous photography and some astonishing shots.

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