Secret Defense

A film that is constantly on the move, featuring an interesting protagonist and a narrative that perhaps plays around with Greek myth and audience expectations (not entirely successfully). Nevertheless, this is not quite as riveting as the best Rivettes.

Another Rivette and another side of the director is revealed; this time in a thriller most immediately recalling Hitchcock. His understanding of motivation and human interaction go a long way in making this plot successful (with credit going to the actors/writers, as well). A nearly 30 minute dialogue-free segment is a highlight.

Rivette meets Chabrol.

Rivette's pacing of this film is sublime. The only certainty the viewer has to anchor themselves is the estate with everything else a haze. Bonnaire as Sylvie is impressive in her Huppert-like performance, but it's Radziwiłowicz as Walser that really fixes the viewer's attention. While a sense of doom hangs over most of the film, it's to Rivette's credit that the film is never threatening; it's almost comforting.

perhaps the scenario is a little more typical, and perhaps the mystery is rather more transparent, but this is still an intriguing murder mystery that deals honestly with the emotional consequences of death, has very interesting character motivations, and contains an excellent female protagonist, as is the norm for rivette movies.