Madame Hyde

Watched this in a cinema full of people who, judging by their silence and the collective shrugs and sniggers when it ended, all thought it was just as big a waste of time as I did.

Huppert is so awesome she can make a physics class seems interesting. Strange yet hypnotic film about a teacher dealing with difficult kids while discovering a scientist in one of them -- Malik, the handicapped one -- and trying to contain her destructive other personality who burns things. Comedy comes in unexpected ways, like a rap song about hating school by some kids who obviously don't go to school or the eccentric clothes and attitudes of the principal.

Bozon is head and shoulders above pretty much everyone else out there.

Dunno if it's worse that so many reviews of this nonsensically assailed Bozon for not more explicitly addressing (American social media's perception of) racism, or that nary a one attempted to engage with the film's highly unusual style (let alone mention the incredible why-I-watch-movies moment with hubby against the bars). Perhaps it's that Bozon associates good teaching with the instillation of humility, independent thought, and the resistance of resentment and self-pity; with the light...

Madame Hyde is possibly the most subdued interpretation of the Jekyll/Hyde story that I've seen. I enjoyed the familiar setting of the film (inner-city school by a housing estate) that retains its own distinct cultural identity thanks to a good & diverse cast. While Huppert's performance as a meek teacher is great, the film lacks enough thematic follow-through to leave an impression. There are comedic moments & creepy ones, but the film never decides what it wants to be about beyond teaching.