The French are the masters of the slow, quiet, civilized, sophisticated psychological thriller, and "The Page Turner" is one such film. Only a few drops of blood are spilled, in just one scene; this is a story of brutal psychological manipulation. Writer-director Denis Dercourt almost out-Chabrols Claude Chabrol; he keeps teasing us about how far Melanie's character is prepared to go, and about the possibility of her having second thoughts. But even if we are certain that she is going to go through with her revenge, we don't know how or when she will exact it. Déborah François underplays beautifully - the viewer can't read what she's thinking or feeling, which is exactly the point. This is a pitch-perfect little thriller. *** out of 4.
Review of The Page Turner
