I have seen quite a few Claude Chabrol films. A few I have loved, but with so many others, it seems like the director is following a script with great ideas that just seems to miss the mark. In effect, these are decent films that just don't quite hit their stride. Maybe others have had similar reactions.
Part of the reason I was left a bit cold about the film is the weirdness of the family's sexual dynamics. Perhaps it's not thought of the same way in French culture, but I know that the two lovers in the story would NOT be accepted in the USA. Think about it--they are step-brother and step-sister who are making love. This is odd, but morally it's not so bad. BUT, they are also first cousins! This is just too weird and I don't think the plot needed this as a distraction. Just having them be "steps" should have been fine--the cousins thing was just unnecessary and icky. And, the family apparently approved of this and it was some sort of weird family tradition. Ewwww.
The other problem was that although I liked what transpired between the father and step-daughter near the very end, it seems like the film stopped too quickly--like the resolution of the film was never decided. This isn't a horrible thing--as some ambiguity could be okay, but I know many who see this will be left a little cold. Plus, at times, the characters were just too cold and uninteresting.
Now, as far as the acting goes it was generally fine and I liked the main story ideas. I loved the performance and characterization of Aunt Line--her story was GREAT. Also, having a son who has no feeling for his father and step-siblings falling in love are all good topics for a film. With a small re-write, this movie could have gotten an 8 or 9.
Part of the reason I was left a bit cold about the film is the weirdness of the family's sexual dynamics. Perhaps it's not thought of the same way in French culture, but I know that the two lovers in the story would NOT be accepted in the USA. Think about it--they are step-brother and step-sister who are making love. This is odd, but morally it's not so bad. BUT, they are also first cousins! This is just too weird and I don't think the plot needed this as a distraction. Just having them be "steps" should have been fine--the cousins thing was just unnecessary and icky. And, the family apparently approved of this and it was some sort of weird family tradition. Ewwww.
The other problem was that although I liked what transpired between the father and step-daughter near the very end, it seems like the film stopped too quickly--like the resolution of the film was never decided. This isn't a horrible thing--as some ambiguity could be okay, but I know many who see this will be left a little cold. Plus, at times, the characters were just too cold and uninteresting.
Now, as far as the acting goes it was generally fine and I liked the main story ideas. I loved the performance and characterization of Aunt Line--her story was GREAT. Also, having a son who has no feeling for his father and step-siblings falling in love are all good topics for a film. With a small re-write, this movie could have gotten an 8 or 9.